Shaocheng Xie

Portrait of Shaocheng Xie

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  • Title
    Section Leader, Climate Science Section
  • Email
    xie2@llnl.gov
  • Phone
    (925) 422-6023
  • Organization
    Not Available

Research Interest

My research interests include climate model development and validation, cloud and convection parameterization developments, and objective variational data analysis. For the modeling related research, I work with the DOE Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) and the NSF/DOE Community Atmospheric Model (CAM). I use a hierarchy process modeling approach, including single-column model (SCM), cloud-resolving model (CRM), and the Cloud-Associated Parameterizations Testbed (CAPT) that utilizes the short-range weather forecast technique in diagnosing climate model errors, to develop and test new (or existing) parameterizations with both field data and satellite observations. For the field data analysis, 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 cloud/climate modeling communities. Some widely used data products from my ARM science infrastructure group include the ARM best estimate dataset (ARMBE), the variational analysis derived large-scale forcing data for SCM/CRM/LES studies, as well as an ARM radar simulator and an ARM-oriented process diagnostics package for climate models.

Research Highlights

  • Led the the development of the DOE E3SM atmosphere model version 3 with advanced atmospheric physics (2018 - 2023)
  • Co-led the development of the DOE E3SM atmosphere model version 1 (EAMv1) (2015-2018)
  • Developed an innovative convective triggering mechanism in 2000, which was used in the operational weather prediction model of the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) to improve its precipitation forecast in 2008. An updated version of the trigger is used in E3SMv2/v3 in 2021 to improve its simulation of precipitation and its diurnal cycle. See EOS highlights.
  • Co-Led the development of the DOE Cloud-Associated Parameterizations Testbed (CAPT), which uses short-term weather forecast technique for climate model evaluation.
  • Led the development of the ARM Best Estimate (ARMBE) dataset, which 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 field programs in US and European.
  • Developed continuous large-scale forcing datasets for SCMs/CRMs was highlighted in the “DOE ARM Notable Research Finds for the Past Five Years”.
  • Research has been highlighted in both “Our Changing Planet - The U.S. Climate Change Science Program for Fiscal Year 2006” and the “DOE ARM Notable Research Findings for the Past Five Years”.
  • Played a leading role in developing the second generation of Chinese medium-range weather forecast model (1993). The work received the first place award of the Chinese Meteorological Administration (CMA) Science and Technology Award in 1994, the most prestigious award in CMA.

Ph.D., 1998, State University of New York at Stony Brook. New York, USA

M.S., 1988, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences. Beijing, China

B.S., 1985, Nanjing Institute of Meteorology, Nanjing, China

For a full list, see: Google Scholar

  1. Tao, C., Xie, S., Ma, H.-Y., Bechtold, P., Cui, Z., Vaillancourt, P.A., et al. (2024) Diurnal cycle of precipitation over the tropics and central United States: intercomparison of general circulation models. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 1–26. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.4629.
  2. Zhang, Y., Xie, S., Qin, Y., Lin, W., Golaz, J.-C., Zheng, X., Ma, P.-L., Qian, Y., Tang, Q., Terai, C. R., and Zhang, M. (2024): Understanding changes in cloud simulations from E3SM version 1 to version 2, Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 169–189, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-169-2024.
  3. Zhang, M., S. Xie, X. Liu, D. Zhang, W. Lin, K. Zhang, J.-C. Golaz, X. Zheng, Y. Zhang, (2023); Evaluating EAMv2 simulated stratiform mixed-phase clouds at Northern and Southern high latitudes using ARM measurements. JGR-Atmosphere, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2022JD038364.
  4. Tao, C., Xie, S., Tang, S. et al. Diurnal cycle of precipitation over global monsoon systems in CMIP6 simulations. Clim Dyn (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-022-06546-0.
  5. Zhang, M., Xie, S., Liu, X., Lin, W., Zheng, X., Golaz, J.-C., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Cloud phase simulation at high latitudes in EAMv2: Evaluation using CALIPSO observations and comparison with EAMv1. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 127, e2022JD037100. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JD037100.
  6. Tang, S., Xie, S., Guo, Z., Hong, S.-Y., Khouider, B., Klocke, D., et al. (2021) Long-term single-column model intercomparison of diurnal cycle of precipitation over midlatitude and tropical land. Q J R Meteorol Soc, 1– 29. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.4222.
  7. Tang, S., Gleckler, P., Xie, S., Lee, J., Ahn, M., Covey, C., & Zhang, C. (2021).  Evaluating the Diurnal and Semidiurnal Cycle of Precipitation in CMIP6 Models Using Satellite- and Ground-Based Observations, Journal of Climate, 34(8), 3189-3210.  https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-20-0639.1.
  8. Xie, S. Wang, Y.‐C., Lin, W., et al. (2019): Improved Diurnal Cycle of Precipitation in E3SM with a Revised Convective Triggering Function. Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, 11. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019MS001702.
  9. Rasch, P. J., S. Xie, P. Ma, W. Lin, et al. (2019): An Overview of the Atmospheric Component of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model. Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, DOI:10.1029/2019MS001629.
  10. Zhang, Y., Xie, S., Lin, W., Klein, S. A., Zelinka, M., Ma, P.‐L., et al (2019). Evaluation of clouds in version 1 of the E3SM atmosphere model with satellite simulators. Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, 11. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018MS001562.
  11. Xie, S., Lin, W., Rasch, P. J., Ma, P-L et al. (2018). Understanding cloud and convective characteristics in version 1 of the E3SM atmosphere model. Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, 10, 2618–2644. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018MS001350.
  12. Ma, H.-Y., S. A. Klein, S. Xie, et al. 2018: CAUSES: On the role of surface energy budget errors to the warm surface air temperature error over the Central U.S. J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 123, 2888–2909. DOI: 10.1002/2017JD027194.
  13. Tang, S., S. Xie, et al. 2016: Large-Scale Vertical Velocity, Diabatic Heating and Drying Profiles Associated with Seasonal and Diurnal Variations of Convective Systems Observed in the GoAmazon2014/5 Experiment, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., 2016, 1-39, doi: 10.5194/acp-2016-644.
  14. Ma, H., S. Xie, S. Klein, et al. 2014: On the Correspondence between Mean Forecast Errors and Climate Errors in CMIP5 Models. J. Climate. 27, 1781-1798. doi: 10.1175/JCLI-D-13-00474.1.
  15. Xie, S., X. Liu, C. Zhao, and Y. Zhang, 2013: Sensitivity of CAM5 Simulated Arctic Clouds and Radiation to Ice Nucleation, J. Clim. 26, 5981-5999, DOI: 10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00517.1.
  16. 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.
  17. 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. 25, 7937–7955. doi: 10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00134.1.
  18. Xie, S., and 16-coauthors, 2010: ARM climate modeling best estimate data, Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc, 91, 13–20 , doi:10.1175/2009BAMS2891.1 .
  19. 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
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. Xie, S., and 22-co-authors., 2002: Intercomparison and Evaluation of Cumulus Parameterization under Summertime Midlatitude Continental Conditions. Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc., 128, 1095-1136, DOI: 10.1256/003590002320373229.
  25. Xie, S., and M. H. Zhang, 2000: Impact of the Convection triggering Function on Single-Column Model Simulations. J. Geophys. Res., 105, 14983-14996, DOI: 10.1029/2000JD900170.

  1. Physical and Life Sciences Directorate External Leadership and Recognition Awards for “leading the “Climate Science” chapter of a major DOE Biological and Environmental (BER) report and organizing an international conference.”, LLNL, 2023

  2. Physical and Life Sciences Directorate Award for Excellence in Publication “For improving our ability to model one of climate’s most challenging aspects: precipitation”, LLNL, 2020. Lead Author.

  3. LLNL Deputy Director for Science and Technology (DDS&T) Publication Award for the publication “The Role of Surface Energy Budget Errors to the Warm Surface Air Temperature Error Over the Central United States”, LLNL, 2019.

  4. DOE Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) Award for “Leadership and dedication to the Phase E3SM project as Phase 1 Atmosphere Group Leaders”, DOE, 2018.

  5. Physical and Life Sciences Directorate Award for “Leadership and dedication to the DOE E3SM version 1 development”, LLNL, 2019

  6. Physical and Life Sciences Directorate Award for Excellence in Publication “For improving our understanding of the role of clouds, radiation, and precipitation processes in contributing to surface temperature biases”, LLNL, 2018.

  7. Physical and Life Sciences Directorate Mentor Award for “Outstanding Mentorship of Postdoctoral Staff”, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 2016.

  8. Energy and Environment Directorate Program Award for “developing a new convective triggering function for NCAR CAM2 to improve the predicted precipitation over land”, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 2004.

  9. Chinese Meteorological Administration (CMA) Science and Technology Award (1st place) for “developing the second generation of Chinese medium-range weather forecast model”, CMA, China, 1994.

  10. Beijing Meteorological Society Young Scientist Best Science Paper Award (3rd place) for the paper “A new positive definite advection scheme and its application to the moisture equation”, 1992.

  11. Chinese National Meteorological Center Young Scientist Award (1st place) for “developing a new positive definite advection scheme and its implementation in removing negative moisture in the Beijing Limited-Area Model”, National Meteorological Center, 1988.