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
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.