The role of droplet sedimentation in the evolution of low-level clouds over southern West Africa
<p>Large-eddy simulations are performed to investigate the influence of cloud microphysics on the evolution of low-level clouds that form over southern West Africa during the monsoon season. We find that, even in clouds that are not precipitating, the size of cloud droplets has a non-neglig...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2018-10-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/18/14253/2018/acp-18-14253-2018.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>Large-eddy simulations are performed to investigate the influence of cloud
microphysics on the evolution of low-level clouds that form over southern
West Africa during the monsoon season. We find that, even in clouds that are
not precipitating, the size of cloud droplets has a non-negligible effect on
liquid water path. This is explained through the effects of droplet
sedimentation, which acts to remove liquid water from the entrainment zone
close to cloud top, increasing the liquid water path. Sedimentation also
produces a more heterogeneous cloud structure and lowers cloud base height.
Our results imply that an appropriate parameterization of the effects of
sedimentation is required to improve the representation of the diurnal cycle
of the atmospheric boundary layer over southern West Africa in large-scale
models.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |