Squall and Cloud Lines as Structural Components of an Arabian Sea Convective Cloud Cluster.
Abstract
This research has several objectives. First, it attempts to present a description of the kinematic, thermal, and cloud structure of an eastern Arabian Sea convective cloud cluster. Secondly, this research will determine the horizontal location of updrafts, downdrafts, and gust fronts in relation to observed convection. The last objective is to determine the extent of boundary layer modification by convective. Careful study of all available data revealed several squall lines (as well as other types of convective) embedded in the larger scale cloud cluster. Numerous differences were observed between the squall lines examined in this study and squall lines observed during the Global Atmospheric Research Program's Atlantic Tropical Experiments (GATE). The main differences include: Arabian Sea squall lines were quasi-stationary. while GATE squall lines were moving; Arabian Sea squall lines existed in a more highly sheared environment than GATE squall lines were moving; Arabian Sea squall lines existed in a more highly sheared environmental than GATE convection; the low-level inflow air in Arabian Sea squall lines could be influenced by subsidence from a trailing anvil cloud, while GATE convection's low-level inflow generally was not. This thesis shows exclusively that boundary layer influences caused by convection over the Arabian Sea must be considered when attempting to describe (either qualitatively or numerically) Indian southwest monsoonal rainfall.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA157973
Entities
People
- C. L. Benson Jr
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology