On the influence of physical parameterisations and domains configuration in the simulation of an extreme precipitation event

•Prediction of Lisbon and Setúbal extreme event in the 18th February 2008.•Eight combinations of cumulus and microphysics schemes for predicting precipitation.•Combination of the two schemes very important in predicting amounts of precipitation.•A small change in domain resolution has more impact in the spatial patterns.

At daybreak and late morning of 18th of February 2008 Lisbon and Setúbal have been under the influence of a heavy rain event. This period was simulated by two operational WRF model set ups running for Portugal at the University of Aveiro in two different horizontal and vertical resolution and physical parameterisations. These two model configurations were tested for the described precipitation event in terms of microphysics and cumulus parameterisation and also in their domain configuration setup. Results suggest that the combination of cumulus and microphysics schemes is very important in the prediction of the amounts of precipitation. A small change in domain resolution has more impact in the spatial patterns of precipitation rather than in the amounts predicted.