The Quasi-3-D Multiscale Modeling Framework (Q3D MMF) is a new way of modeling the moist-convective atmosphere, which has been developed with the objective of including cloud-scale effects in a GCM without necessarily using a global cloud-resolving model (CRM). The Q3D MMF has improvements over the first-generation MMF: 1) Cloud-resolving grids are not confined to the GCM grid cells; instead, they are seamlessly connected to each other in the form of “channels” that wrap around the planet. 2) The CRMs sense the three-dimensional large- and cloud-scale environments. 3) Two perpendicular sets of CRM channels are used. 4) The CRMs can resolve the steep surface topography along the channel direction.

Currently, global versions of the Q3D MMF are being developed for both weather and climate applications. The dynamical cores governing the large-scale circulation in the global Q3D MMF are selected from two cube-based global atmospheric models. The CRM used in the model is the 3-D nonhydrostatic anelastic Vector-Vorticity Model (VVM), which has been tested with the limited-area version for its suitability for this framework. For easy coupling with the large-scale dynamical cores, the VVM has been reconstructed and successfully tested on the cubed-sphere grid and the computational infrastructure managing the coupling interface has been developed. In this presentation, we will describe the current status of this development and show some aqua-planet simulation results.