RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TROPICAL PRECIPITATION AND KINEMATIC CLOUD MODELS.
Abstract
The formation and dissipation of a convective roll-type cloud are simulated by means of a numerical experiment. Initially, a buoyant bubble near the lower boundary is introduced into statically stable surroundings saturated with moisture, and the equations of motion, continuity, and thermodynamics are solved numerically. The computed events show the bubble to rise, an associated toroidal circulation of a narrow, intense updraft to form, and cloud to form in the area of ascending motion. Because of the stable surroundings, gravitational oscillations are set up, and the initial one-cell circulation is gradually replaced by three circulation cells, two of which rotate in the opposite sense of that of the original cell. As a result of this break-up into cells, the initial updraft weakens and gradually becomes a downdraft leading to the dissipation of the cloud. It is concluded that there are presently two limitations to further extension of the present program of numerically simulating cloud convection. One is the shortcomings of available finite difference schemes; the other the limiting capacity of existing computers. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0632561
Entities
People
- A. F. Saunders
- G. Arnason