Modeling of Cloud-Top Entrainment
Abstract
Our long term goals are to understand the dynamics of atmospheric motions on scales of order 10 m - 10 km in sufficient detail to be able to provide a consistent subgrid scale turbulent closure for models across a range of scales, and to be able to utilize simulated variances as a measure of forecast predictability. Boundary layer entrainment is a critical, much studied, yet relatively poorly understood element of the dynamics of the atmospheric boundary layer. The entrainment fluxes of heat and moisture across the capping inversion strongly affect both the dynamics and cloud structure within the boundary layer. The chief objective of the present grant is to better understand the physical processes which control the rate of this entrainment, and to formulate a closure model for cloud-top entrainment that is consistent for a broad range of boundary layer conditions and forcings. Ideally, this closure model would allow one to produce a simulation at any desired level of resolution, with the results of lower resolution simulations being approximately similar to results obtained by appropriate spatial filtering of the higher resolution simulation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA542598
Entities
People
- David C. Lewellen
- W. S. Lewellen
Organizations
- West Virginia University