Homepage for Shaocheng Xie

 
 

Contact Information:

Research Scientist
Climate and Carbon Science Group
Atmospheric, Earth & Energy Division (L103)
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
7000 East Avenue, L-103
Livermore, CA 94551

(925) 422-6023 (voice)
(925) 422-7675 (fax)
xie2@llnl.gov

Education

Ph.D., 1998, State University of New York at Stony Brook.
M.S., 1988, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences.
B.S., 1985, Nanjing Institute of Meteorology, China.

Research Interest

My research interests have been on climate model evaluation and diagnosis, cloud and cumulus parameterizations, and field data analysis. The modeling tools used in these studies include single-column model (SCM), cloud-resolving model (CRM), and the Cloud-Associated Parameterizations Testbed (CAPT), which utilizes the short-range weather forecast technique in diagnosing and understanding climate model errors. Both field data and satellite observations are used in these process studies.

My current research focus is to systematically explore the correspondence between short- and long-timescale systematic errors in current climate models and clarify over what timescales model systematic errors develop. The goal is to provide essential clue to the origins of these errors. The issues of particular interest include tropical precipitation errors, such as the unrealistic double ITCZ pattern in the simulated precipitation, and the overestimate of net shortwave absorbed radiation in the stratocumulus cloud decks over the eastern subtropical oceans and the Southern Ocean at about 60S.

My research on parameterization development is mainly focused on convective trigger/closure as well as relaxation timescale for deep convection. Specifically, I would like to understand what physical processes and large-scale dynamic and thermodynamic control of cumulus convection and how these processes can be appropriately parameterized in climate models.

For the field data analysis, the goal is to develop necessary data products with advanced data analysis methods and quantify their uncertainty in support of cloud modeling study and climate model development. I have been heavily involved in the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program since 1998. One of my responsibilities is to transform the detailed ARM observations into a form that can be easily used by the climate modeling community. Some widely used data products from my ARM science infrastructure group include the ARM best estimate dataset (ARMBE), the large-scale forcing data for SCM/CRM studies, and the ARM ensemble cloud retrieval dataset (ACRED). We conduct relevant research to scientifically promote ARM data particularly to the climate modeling community.

Before I came to the United States, my research had been in the development of numerical weather forecast model for medium-range weather forecasts, which includes the development of numerical methods for calculating large-scale advection terms and parameterizations of cumulus convection.

Professional Employment

Jun 2001- Present: Research Scientist, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA.

  • Deputy group leader for Climate and Carbon Science group (2010 – present)

  • Leader for the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program science data infrastructure team at LLNL to provide data support to cloud modeling studies (2008 – Present)

  • Co-Leader for the DOE Cloud-Associated Parameterizations Testbed (CAPT) project at LLNL, which use the weather forecast technique to diagnose and understand climate model errors (2010 – present)

Oct 1998 - May 2001: Post-doctoral researcher, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA.

  • Led the effort to develop the large-scale forcing data using the constrained variational analysis approach for all ARM sounding Intensive Operational Periods.

  • Led the analysis of the joint GCSS/ARM cloud modeling working group’s multi-model intercomparison Case 3 - a summertime midlatitude continental convection case.

Aug 1993 - Oct 1998: Research Assistant, Inst. of Terrestrial and Planetary Atmosphere, SUNY at Stony Brook. Stony Brook, New York. 

  • Studied the large-scale dynamic and thermodynamic control of cumulus convections with ARM data.

  • Developed a new convective triggering function for deep convection.

Jul 1988 - Aug. 1993: Research scientist, Numerical Weather Prediction Division, National Meteorological Center, Beijing, China.

  • Led the development of the second generation of medium-range weather forecast model for Chinese National Meteorological Center (1992-1993).

  • Promoted to Senior Research Scientist position in 1993.

Research Highlights

Made significant contributions to the development of the second generation of medium-range weather forecast model for Chinese National Meteorological Center (1993).

Developed a new convective triggering mechanism which was used in the operational weather prediction model of the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) to improve its precipitation forecast in 2008. Relevant studies were highlighted in both “Our Changing Planet - The U.S. Climate Change Science Program for Fiscal Year 2006” and the “DOE ARM Notable Research Finds for the Past Five Years”.

The research on developing continuous large-scale forcing datasets for SCMs/CRMs was highlighted in the “DOE ARM Notable Research Finds for the Past Five Years”.

The ARM Best Estimate (ARMBE) dataset was highlighted by the 2010 DOE BER Advisory Committee (BERAC) review for the ARM program. The idea of creating ARMBE-like dataset is being adopted by several Europe field programs.

Professional Responsibilities

Infrastructure leader (Science Translator) for DOE ARM/ASR modeling-related data developments (2005 – present).

Co-Chair for the US ARM-EU Collaboration Working Group in identifying and sharing initial and evaluation datasets for Large Eddy Simulations (LES) and Global Climate Models (GCMs) (2013 – Present).

Co-Chair for the DOE ASR “Quantification of Uncertainty in Cloud Retrievals (QUICR)” Focus Group (2011 - Present).

Member of the DOE ARM Cloud Modeling Working Group steering committee (2007 - 2009).

Co-chair or co-session convener for national and international conferences and workshops.

Member of review panels for the DOE Regional and Global Climate Modeling program and Atmospheric System Research program.

Proposal reviews for DOE and NSF programs.

Journal article reviews for Journal of Geophysical Research, Geophysical Research Letter, Journal of Climate, Monthly Weather Review, Climate Dynamics, Journal of Atmospheric Science, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics, International Journal of Climatology, Atmospheric Research, Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan, Terr. Atmos. Ocean. Sci. Journal, and The Open Atmospheric Science Journal.

First Author Peer-Reviewed Publications (14)

1.     Xie, S., X. Liu, C. Zhao, and Y. Zhang, 2013: Sensitivity of CAM5 Simulated Arctic Clouds and Radiation to Ice Nucleation, J. Clim., in press.

2.     Xie, S., H. Ma, J. Boyle, S. Klein, and Y. Zhang, 2012:  On the Correspondence between Short- and Long- Timescale Systematic Errors in CAM4/CAM5 for the Years of Tropical Convection.  J. Clim. doi: 10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00134.1.

3.     Xie, S., and 16-coauthors, 2010: ARM climate modeling best estimate data, Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc, doi:10.1175/2009BAMS2891.1 .

4.     Xie, S., T. Hume, C. Jakob, S. Klein, R. McCoy, and M. Zhang, 2010: Observed large-scale structures and diabatic heating and drying profiles during TWP-ICE, J. climate, 23, 57-79, doi:10.1175/2009JCLI3071.1< .

5.     Xie, S., J. Boyle, S. A. Klein, X. Liu and S. Ghan, 2008: Simulations of Arctic Mixed-Phase Clouds in Forecasts with CAM3 and AM2 for M-PACE, Journal of Geophysical Research, 113, D04211, doi:10.1029/2007JD009225 .

6.     Xie, S., S. Klein, M. Zhang, J. Yio, R. Cederall, and R. McCoy, 2006: Developing large-scale forcing data for single-column and cloud-resolving models from the Mixed-Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment.  J. Geophys. Res., 111, D19104, doi:10.1029/2005JD006950 .

7.     Xie, S., et al., 2006: An assessment of ECMWF analyses and model forecasts over the North Slope of Alaska using observations from the ARM Mixed-Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment.  J. Geophys. Res., 111, D05107, doi:10.1029/2005JD006509 .

8.     Xie, S.,  and 24 co-authors, 2005: Simulations of midlatitude frontal clouds by SCMs and CSRMs during the ARM March 2000 Cloud IOP.   J. Geophys. Res., 110, D15S03, doi:10.1029/2004JD005119

9.     Xie, S., M. H. Zhang, J. S. Boyle, R. T. Cederwall, G. L. Potter, and W. Y. Lin, 2004: Impact of a revised convective triggering mechanism on CAM2 model simulations: results from short-range weather forecasts.  J. Geophys. Res. 109, D14102, doi:10.1029/2004JD004692.

10.  Xie, S., R. T. Cederwall, and M. H. Zhang, 2004: Developing long-term single-column model/cloud system-resolving model forcing using numerical weather prediction products constrained by surface and top of the atmosphere observations.  J. Geophys. Res., 109, D01104, doi:10.1029/2003JD004045

11.  Xie, S., R. T. Cederwall, M. H. Zhang, and J. J. Yio, 2003: Comparison of SCM and CSRM Forcing Data Derived from the ECMWF Model and From Objective Analysis at the ARM SGP Site. J. Geophys. Res., 108 (D16), 4499, doi:10.1029/2003JD003541.

12.  Xie, S., et al., 2002: Intercomparison and Evaluation of Cumulus Parameterization under Summertime Midlatitude Continental Conditions.  Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., 128, 1095-1136.

13.  Xie, S., and M. H. Zhang, 2000: Impact of the Convection triggering Function on Single-Column Model Simulations.  J. Geophys. Res., 105, 14983-14996.

14.  Xie, S. C., 1991: A New Positive Definite Advection Scheme and its Application to the Moisture Equation. ACTA METEOROLOGICA SINICA, Vol.49, 11-20.

Other Peer-Reviewed Publications (42)

1.     Ma, H., S. Xie, J. Boyle, S. Klein, and Y. Zhang, 2013: Development of Metrics and Diagnostics for CAM Climate Model Short-range Forecasts. J. Climate. 26, 1516-1534. doi: 10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00235.1.

2.     Lin, Y., M. Zhao, Y. Ming, J-C. Golaz, L. J. Donner, S. A. Klein, V. Ramaswamy, and S. Xie, 2013: Precipitation partitioning, tropical clouds and intraseasonal variability in GFDL AM2. J. Clim., In press.

3.     Petch, J., A. Hill, L. Davis, A. Fridlind, C. Jakob, Y. Lin, S. Xie, and P. Zhu, 2013: Evaluation of intercomparison of four different types of model simulating TWP-ICE, Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., in revision.

4.     Davies, L., et al. (including S. Xie), 2013: A Single Column Model Ensemble approach applied the TWP-ICE experiment. J. Geophys. Res., in revision.

5.     Davies, L. C. Jakob, V. Kumar, P. May and S. Xie, 2013: Relationships between the large-scale atmosphere and the small-scale state for Darwin, Australia. J. Geophys. Res., submitted.

6.     Ma, H., S. Xie, K. Williams, S. Boyle, S. Bony, H. Douville, S. Fermepin, B. Mediros, S. A. Klein, M. Watanabe, and D. Williamson, 2013: Are Forecast Errors Climate Errors? J. Clim., to be submitted.

7.     Zhang, Y., S. Xie, C. Covey, D. D. Lucas, P. Gleckler, S. Klein, J. Tannahill, C. Doutriaux,and R. Klein, 2012: Regional assessment of the parameter-dependent performance of CAM4 in simulating tropical clouds. Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L14708, doi:10.1029/2012GL052184.

8.     Qian Y, CN Long, H Wang, JM Comstock, SA McFarlane, and S Xie. 2012: Evaluation of Cloud Fraction and Its Radiative Effect Simulated by IPCC AR4 Global Models Against ARM Surface Observations, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 12, 1785-1810. DOI:10.5194/acp-12-1785-2012.

9.     Zhao, C., S. A. Klein, S. Xie, X. Liu, J. S. Boyle, and Y. Zhang, 2012: Aerosol First Indirect effects on non-precipitating low-level liquid cloud properties as simulated by CAM5 at ARM sites, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L08806, doi:10.1029/2012GL051213.

10.  Fridlind, A., et al. (including S. Xie), 2012: A Cloud-Resolving Model Intercomparison Based on the Tropical Warm Pool–International Cloud Experiment, Part I: Specification and Results versus Domain-Wide Observations. J. Geophys. Res., 117, D05204 DOI: 10.1029/2011JD016595.

11.  Zhao, C. S. Xie, S. Klein, et al., 2012: Toward Understanding of Differences in Current Cloud Retrievals of ARM Ground-based Measurements. J. Geophys. Res., 117, D10206, DOI: 10.1029/2011JD016792.  

12.  Huang, D., C. Zhao, M. Dunn, X. Dong, G. G. Mace, M. P. Jensen, S. Xie, and Y. Liu, 2012: An intercomparison of radar-based liquid cloud microphysics retrievals and implication for model evaluation studies. Atmos. Meas. Tech., 5, 1409-1424   DOI: 10.5194/amt-5-1409-2012.

13.  Lin, Y., L. J. Donner, J. Petch, P. Bechtold, J. Boyle, S. A. Klein, T. Komori, K. Wapler, M. Willett, X. Xie, M. Zhao, S. Xie, S. A. MaFarlane, C. Schumacher, 2012: TWP-ICE global atmospheric model intercomparison: Convection responsiveness and resolution impact.  J. Geophys. Res., 117, D09111, doi: 10.1029/2011JD017018.

14.  Chuang, C. C., J. Kelly, J. Boyle, and S. Xie, 2012:  Sensitivity of Aerosol Indirect Effects to Cloud Nucleation and Autoconversion Parameterizations in Short-Range Weather Forecasts over the Southern Great Plains During May 2003 IOP. Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, minor revision. 

15.  Liu, X., S. Xie, J. Boyle, S. A. Klein, X. Shi, Z. Wang, W. Lin, S. J. Ghan, M. Earle, P. S. K. Liu, and A. Zelenyuk1, 2011: Testing Cloud Microphysics Parameterizations in NCAR CAM5 with ISDAC and M-PACE Observations. J. Geophys. Res., 116, D00T11, doi:10.1029/2011JD015889< .

16.  Zeng, X., W. Tao, T. Matsui, S. Xie, S. Lang, M. Zhang, D. Starr, and X. Li 2011: Estimating the ice crystal enhancement factor in the tropics.  J. Atmos. Sci. 68, 1424-1434.

17.  McFarquhar, G., S. Ghan, et al. (including S. Xie), 2011: Indirect and Semi-Direct Aerosol Campaign (ISDAC): The Impact of Arctic Aerosols on Clouds, Bull. Amer. Meteor.,doi: 10.1175/2010BAMS2935.1.

18.  Kennedy, A., X. Dong, B. Xi, S. Xie, Y. Zhang, and J. Chen, 2011: A Comparison of MERRA and NARR Reanalysis Datasets with the DOE ARM SGP Continuous Forcing data. J. climate, 24   4541-4557   DOI: 10.1175/2011JCLI3978.1.

19.   Woolnough, S. J., P. N. Blossey, K .- M. Xu, P. Bechtold, J.-P. Chaboureau, T. Hosomi, S.F. Iacobellis, Y. Luo, J. C. Petch, R. Y. Wong, and S. Xie, 2010: Modeling convective processes during the suppressed phase of a Madden-Julian Oscillation: Comparing single-column models with cloud-resolving models. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc. ,136 , 333-353, DOI:10.1002/qj.568.

20.   Wang, W., X. Liu, S. Xie, J. Boyle, and S. McFarlane, 2009: Testing ice microphysics parameterizations in NCAR CAM3 using TWP-ICE data, J. Geophys. Res., 114, D14107, doi:10.1029/2008JD011220 .

21.  Zeng, X., W. Tao, M.Zhang, A. Hou, S. Xie, S. Lang, X. li, D. Starr, and X. Li, 2009: A contribution by ice neclei to global warming. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., 135, 1614-1629. DOI:10.1002/qj.449 .

22.  Klein et al. (including S. Xie) 2009: Intercomparison of model simulations of mixed-phase clouds observed during the ARM Mixed-Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment. Part I: Single layer cloud, Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., . Soc., 135: 979-1002. DOI:10.1002/qi.416 .

23.   Marrison etal. (including S. Xie) 2009: Intercomparison of model simulations of mixed-phase clouds observed during the ARM Mixed-Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment. Part II: Multi-layered cloud, Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., 135: doi :10.1002 /qj.415.

24.   Zeng, X., W. Tao et al., S. Xie , et al., 2009: The indirect effect of ice nuclei on atmospheric radiation.  J. Atmos. Sci. 66, 41-61. doi: 10.1175/2008JAS2778.1

25.   Boyle, J., S. Klein, G. Zhang, S. Xie, R. Pincus, and X. Wei, 2008: Climate model forecast experiments for TOGA-COARE. Mon. Wea. Rev., 136, 808-832. doi: 10.1175/2007MWR2145.1

26.  Guo, H., J. Penner, M. Herzog, and S. Xie, 2007: In vestigation of the first and second aerosol indirect effects on clouds during the May 2003 ARM intensive operational period at Southern Great Plains. J. Geophys. Res. 112, D15206, doi:10.1029/2006JD007173 .

27.   Zeng, X., W. Tao et al., S. Xie et al., 2007: Evaluation of long-term cloud resolving modeling with observational cloudy data.  J. Atmos. Sci. 64, 4153-4177. doi: 10.1175/2007JAS2170.1

28.   Liu, X., S. Xie, and S. J. Ghan, 2007: Evaluation of a new mixed-Phase cloud microphysics parameterization with the NCAR single column climate model (SCAM) and ARM M-PACE observations, Geophysical Research Letter, 34, L23712, doi:10.1029/2007GL031446 .

29.   Klein, S., X. Jiang, J. Boyle, S. Malyshev, S. Xie, 2006: Diagnosis of the summertime warm and dry bias over the U. S.  Southern Great Plains in the GFDL climate model using a weather forecasting approach.  Geophys. Res. Lett ., 33, L18805, doi:10.1029/2006GL027567

30.   Xu, K.-M., M. H. Zhang , …, S. Xie et al., 2005:. Modeling springtime shallow and deep frontal clouds with CRMs and SCMs.  J. Geophys. Res., 110, D15S04, doi:10.1029/2004JD005153 .

31.  Boyle, J. S., et al., and S. Xie, 2005: Diagnosis of CAM2 in NWP configuration.  J. Geophys. Res., 110 doi:10.1029/2004JD005042 .

32.  Williamson, D. L., et al., and S. Xie, 2005: Moisture and temperature budgets at the ARM SGP site in forecasts with CAM2.  J. Geophys. Res., 110 doi:10.1029/2004JD005109 .

33.  Zhang, M. H., W. Y. Lin, et al, and S. Xie, 2005: Comparing clouds and their variations in 10 atmospheric general circulation models with satellite measurements.   J. Geophys. Res., 110 doi:10.1029/2004JD005021 .

34.  Phillips, T. J., et al., and S. Xie , 2004: The CCPP-ARM Parameterization Testbed (CAPT): Where climate simulation meet with weather prediction.  Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,85 , 1903-1915.  doi: 10.1175/BAMS-85-12-1903

35.  Xu, K.-M., R. T. Cederwall et al., and S. Xie, 2002: An Intercomparison of cloud-resolving models with the ARM summer 1997 IOP data. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., 128, 593-624. doi: 10.1256/003590002320373229

36.  Waliser, D. E., J. Ridout, S. Xie, and M. Zhang, 2002: A Model Assessment of the Variational Objective Analysis: Implications for Atmospheric Field Programs. J. Atmos. Sci., 59, 3436-3456. doi: 10.1175/1520-0469(2002)059<3436:VOAFAF>2.0.CO;2

37.  Zhang M. H., J. L. Lin, R. Cederwall, J. Yio, and S.C. Xie, 2001: Objective Analysis of ARM IOP Data: Method, Features, and Sensitivity. Mon. Wea. Rev., 129, 295 – 311.doi: 10.1175/1520-0493(2001)129<0295:OAOAID>2.0.CO;2

38.  Ghan S., et al., and S. Xie, 2000: An Intercomparison of Single Column Model Simulations of Summertime Midlatitude Continental Convection.  J. Geophys. Res., 105, 2091-2121. doi: 10.1029/1999JD900971

39.  Zhang, M. H., R. D. Cess, and S. C. Xie, 1996: Relationship between Cloud Radiative Forcing and Sea Surface Temperatures over the Entire Tropical Oceans.  J. Climate, 9, 1374 -1384.doi: 10.1175/1520-0442(1996)009<1374:RBCRFA>2.0.CO;2

40.   Tu, W., S. C. Xie, and W. Chen, 1995: Experiments of the NMC (Beijing) T63 Four-Dimensional Data Assimilation Operational System. Quart. J. of Applied Meteorology, Vol. 6, 199-205.

41.  Shen, Y., X. Ding, and S. Xie, 1994: Analysis increment vertical interpolation scheme in T63 data assimilation and its experiments. Quart. J. of Applied Meteorology, Vol. 4.

42.  Tian Y., and S. C.  Xie, 1987: Test of Explicit Integration Schemes for the Barotropic Primitive Equation Model. Journal of Nanjing Institute of Meteorology, Vol.10, 95-102.