Examination of Effects of Aerosols on a Pyrocb and their Dependence on Fire Intensity and Aerosol Perturbation
Abstract
Using a modeling framework, this study investigates how a pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) event influences water vapor concentrations and cirrus-cloud properties near the tropopause, specifically focusing on how fire-produced aerosols affect this role. Results from a case study show that when observed fire intensity is high, there is an insignificant impact of fire-produced aerosols on the development of the pyroCb and associated changes in water vapor and cirrus clouds near the tropopause. However, as fire intensity weakens, effects of those aerosols on microphysical variables and processes such as droplet size and autoconversion increase. Due to this, aerosol-induced invigoration of convection is significant for pyroCb with weak-intensity fires and associated weak surface heat fluxes. This leads to a situation where there is a greater aerosol effect on the transport of water vapor to the upper troposphere and the production of cirrus clouds with weak-intensity fires, whereas this effect is muted with strong-intensity fires.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 23, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1096009
Entities
People
- Chang-hoon Jung
- G. P. Kablick
- Junshik Um
- Seoung Soo Lee
- Won-Jun Choi
- Yong-sang Choi
- Zhanqing Li
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory