Vector formulation of the convection-environment interaction problem in the tropics

 

Authors

L. Ruby Leung — Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Samson M Hagos — Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Category

Modeling

Description

Comparison of heating over TWP Darwin during the winter of 2005–2006 from a cloud-resolving model (K/day) with that derived from the large-scale moisture and potential temperature profiles, using the vector formulation discussed in the poster.
Cloud-resolving model simulations are performed over TWP Darwin and Manus sites to identify the unique moist-thermodynamic environmental conditions favorable for shallow and deep convection. Deep convection is associated with moist mid-troposphere, while shallow convection is associated with warm and moist lower troposphere. On average, deep and shallow convection environments have minimum equivalent potential temperature higher than those of clear sky environments by about 100K. The results of the cloud-resolving simulations and vector analysis are used to derive a relationship between large-scale convection and large-scale environment. The results are evaluated using radar observations of latent heating. The potential application of the new technique to parameterization of convection in global models is discussed.