Cumulus Cloud Energetics as Revealed in a Numerical Model of Cloud Dynamics

Abstract

The report investigates the effects of cumulus clouds on the temporal and spatial characteristics of atmospheric energy content. Changes in energy content of the cloud environment and the flux of energy are shown as functions of height and radial distance from the cloud axis. Energy related to water vapor accounts for most of the energy change in the cloud's vicinity. In the outer region, changes in water-vapor enthalpy are counterbalanced by changes in dry-air enthalpy, but potential energy change dominates. The total energy used in attempting to to decrease conditional atmospheric instability is given by the total amount of energy produced by the condensate formed, regardless of whether it falls as rain. The study presents data which, together with reasonable assumptions about the natural occurrence of cloud cells, leads to an estimated relaxation time of convection of about ten hours.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA010194

Entities

People

  • Francis W. Murray
  • L. R. Koenig

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Climate Change
  • Computer Programs
  • Convection
  • Cumulus Clouds
  • Environment
  • Equations
  • Grids
  • Heat Capacity
  • Heat Energy
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Latent Heat
  • Life Cycles
  • Potential Energy
  • Research Facilities
  • Specific Heat
  • Water Vapor

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Solar Physics