Progress in Understanding and Parameterizing Fast Physics in Large-Scale Atmospheric Models

This introductory chapter discusses the atmospheric subgrid processes - collectively called “fast physics” or “fast processes” - and their parameterizations in large-scale atmospheric models. It presents a brief historical progression of the parameterization of fast processes in numerical models. Despite great efforts and notable advances in understanding, progress in improving fast physics parameterizations has been frustratingly slow, the underlying reasons for which are explored. To guide readers, this chapter describes the main objectives and scope of this book and summarizes each chapter.