[CF-metadata] Proposal for new standard names

From: Cameron-smith, Philip <cameronsmith1>
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2011 14:08:55 -0800

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tomoo Ogura [mailto:ogura at nies.go.jp]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 11:49 PM
> To: Cameron-smith, Philip; Jonathan Gregory
> Cc: Jennifer Kay; Yoko Tsushima; cf-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu; Tomoo Ogura
> Subject: Re: [CF-metadata] Proposal for new standard names
>
> Dear Jonathan,
>
> > Yes, this makes sense to me (not being an expert - thanks for
> explaining).
> > That seems a good reason for using your word sedimentation and
> adding
> > _of_cloud_liquid_water as you suggested - so back to what we had
> agreed,
> > with the useful distinction between sedimentation and precipitation
> of
> > the basis of speed, thanks to Philip.
>
> Thanks for this.
>
> Dear Philip,
>
> Let me explain a little more about the proposal.
> I think the criteria for distinguishing the two regimes, fast-falling
> and
> slow-falling processes, could be whether it is related to "rain" or
> "cloud liquid water".
>
> Since "rain" and "cloud liquid water" have well-established
> definitions,
> these criteria may work for all groups interested in CF, including
> observations, GCMs, and regional modeling communities.
>
> If we follow the criteria, all the standard names related to
> the tendencies of cloud liquid water will use "sedimentation",
> so there should be no confusion with "precipitation".
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Tomoo
>

Hi Tomoo,

This seems a reasonable distinction. I assume that your proposal is that the existing std_names with 'precipitation' should now be defined to exclude sedimentation of clouds and aerosols. I suspect that this is probably how people have already used them, so I would not object. But there may be someone else who has a different opinion. Either way, we should request that the description of those 'precipitation' names be amended to reflect the change.

For the record, what are the well-established definitions of "rain" and "cloud liquid water"? Is this already part of CF?

Best wishes,

     Philip
Received on Thu Mar 03 2011 - 15:08:55 GMT