Convection-permitting modeling

Convection-permitting modeling refers to regional simulations at grid spacings, typically around 1-4 km, where deep convection can be represented explicitly instead of being parameterized by a cumulus scheme.

Why it matters

This approach improves the representation of convective organization, rainfall intensity, and diurnal cycles, especially in regions with strong terrain or land-sea contrasts.

Limits

It remains computationally expensive and does not remove all parameterization uncertainty, because turbulence, radiation, land-surface exchange, and microphysics still need modeling assumptions.

See also: Regional climate modeling, Dynamical downscaling, Cumulus convection schemes