Abstract:

Abstract Medicanes are high-impact weather systems in the Mediterranean region, associated with floodings, severe damage and human casualties. While there has been continuous effort to understand the dynamic aspects of these systems, little is known about the underlying cloud-scale processes, which cannot be resolved explicitly, consisting a notorious source of uncertainty in atmospheric models. In this study a numerical model with comprehensive Secondary Ice Production (SIP) descriptions is used to investigate the impact of SIP on the evolution of medicane Qendresa. SIP refers to processes that can generate small cloud-ice crystals in concentrations exceeding those produced by primary ice nucleation, promoting cloud glaciation and precipitation. However, its effects on medicane thermodynamics have not been considered before. Our results indicate that improving SIP representation in the model leads to a more accurate prediction of the cyclone track, resulting in improved precipitation patterns, particularly in the regions where extreme precipitation is observed.

Notes:

e2025GL120145 2025GL120145

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