The Relationship of Cloud Number and Size With Their Large-Scale Environment in Deep Tropical Convection

Louf, Valentin; Jakob, Christian; Protat, Alain; Bergemann, Martin; Narsey, Sugata

doi:10.1029/2019gl083964

Title: The Relationship of Cloud Number and Size With Their Large-Scale Environment in Deep Tropical Convection

Journal Article · 01 August 2019 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2019gl083964 · OSTI ID:1612067

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Monash Univ., Clayton, VIC (Australia)
Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne, VIC (Australia)
Monash Univ., Clayton, VIC (Australia); European X-ray Free Electron Laser Facility, Schenefeld (Germany)
Monash Univ., Clayton, VIC (Australia); Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne, VIC (Australia)

Accurately representing the properties and impact of tropical convection in climate models requires an understanding of the relationships between the state of a convective cloud ensemble and the environment it is embedded in. We investigate this relationship using 13 years of radar observations in the tropics. Specifically, we focus on convective cell number and size and quantify their relationship to atmospheric stability, midtropospheric vertical motion and humidity. We find several key convective states embedded in their own unique environments. The most area-averaged rainfall occurs with a moderate number of moderate size convective cell in an environment of high humidity, strong vertical ascent, and moderate convective available potential energy (CAPE) and convective inhibition (CIN). The strongest rainfall intensities are found with few large cells. Those exist in a dry and subsiding environment with both high CAPE and CIN. Finally, large numbers of convective cells are associated with small CAPE and CIN, weak ascent, and a moist midtroposphere.

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Research Organization:: Monash Univ., Melbourne, VIC (Australia)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0014063

OSTI ID:: 1612067

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1546871

Journal Information:: Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 46, Issue 15; ISSN 0094-8276

Publisher:: American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 26 works

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