Numerical Experiments on the Relation between Microphysics and Dynamics in Cumulus Convection.

Francis W. Murray, Lloyd Randall Koenig

ResearchPublished 1971

A previous numerical model of cumulus growth that treated condensation but not precipitation is modified by the addition of a parameterized treatment of liquid-phase microphysics. This modification improves the realism of the results for several parameters, including maximum height of cloud growth, maximum liquid content, amount and distribution of temperature departure, cloud shape, and occurrence and strength of subcloud downdraft. It is found that one of the most important controlling features in cloud growth is the rate of evaporation of droplets. In particular, the introduction of a class of large particles with a relatively slow evaporation rate produces a smaller temperature deficit at the cloud summit, hence more vigorous cloud growth. In this model, the upper and lower parts of the cloud are, to a large extent, decoupled dynamically; the development of a strong subcloud downdraft by evaporation of precipitation has little effect on the ultimate extent of cloud growth. 54 pp. Ref. (Author)

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1971
  • Pages: 54
  • Document Number: R-852-ARPA

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Murray, Francis W. and Lloyd Randall Koenig, Numerical Experiments on the Relation between Microphysics and Dynamics in Cumulus Convection. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1971. https://www.rand.org/pubs/reports/R852.html.
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