About CLUBB

CLUBB is the short name for Cloud Layers Unified By Binormals. It is a parameterization of clouds and turbulence in the earth's atmosphere. It is designed to be a single, unified parameterization that models many cloud types plus clear convective and stable boundary layers. CLUBB is based on the the Assumed PDF Method. It is written in Fortran 2003.

CLUBB is being actively developed by University of Wisconsin --- Milwaukee and collaborators at PNNL, LLNL, NCAR, GFDL, and NRL. The BUGSrad radiative transfer scheme was kindly contributed by Drs. Norm Wood and Graeme Stephens of Colorado State University. The Morrison microphysics scheme was kindly contributed by Dr. Hugh Morrison of NCAR.

For more information about CLUBB, please see the following references:

  • 2017: "CLUBB-SILHS: A parameterization of subgrid variability in the atmosphere." V. E. Larson. arXiv:1711.03675. This is a comprehensive technical document that details CLUBB's algorithm and software. It also describes CLUBB's companion interface to microphysics, SILHS. This tech doc is updated periodically.

  • 2005: "Using probability density functions to derive consistent closure relationships among higher-order moments." V. E. Larson and J.-C. Golaz. Mon. Wea. Rev., 133, 1023-1042. This describes some advances to the numerics of CLUBB.

  • 2002: "A PDF-based model for boundary layer clouds. Part I: Method and model description." J.-C. Golaz, V. E. Larson, and W. R. Cotton. J. Atmos. Sci., 59, 3540-3551. This is an overview of the original formulation of CLUBB.

  • 2002: "A PDF-based model for boundary layer clouds. Part II: Model results." J.-C. Golaz, V. E. Larson, and W. R. Cotton. J. Atmos. Sci., 59, 3552-3571. This provides sample results for cumulus, stratocumulus, and clear boundary layers.

  • 2002: "Small-scale and mesoscale variability in cloudy boundary layers: Joint three-dimensional probability density functions." V. E. Larson, J.-C. Golaz, and W. R. Cotton. J. Atmos. Sci., 59, 3519-3539. This formulates and tests the functional form of the probability density function, which is the main closure of the PDF method.