670 likes | 805 Views
Convective Storms: ASP Colloquium 2006. Morris Weisman (NCAR/MMM). Archetypes: Building blocks of the observed spectrum Ordinary Cells: short lived (30-60 min), propagate with the mean wind Multicells: long-lived group of ordinary cells
E N D
Convective Storms: ASP Colloquium 2006 Morris Weisman (NCAR/MMM)
Archetypes: Building blocks of the observed spectrum Ordinary Cells:short lived (30-60 min), propagate with the mean wind Multicells:long-lived group of ordinary cells Supercells:quasi-steady, rotating, propagate right or left of the vertical wind shear vector
Supercells propagate to right and/or left of the mean vertical wind shear vector
So, how well do numerical models reproduce this observed spectrum?? Comet Web Modules: htpp://meted.ucar.edu/topics_convective.php • Convective Storm Matrix • MCS Matrix
Physical processes controlling cell types: • Buoyancy processes: basic updraft/downdraft, (ordinary cells) • Gust front processes: triggering of new cells, upscale growth, (multicells) • Dynamic processes: rotating updraft, dynamic vertical pressure gradient forcing, (supercells)
1/2 Wmax = (2 CAPE)
Physical processes controlling cell types: • Buoyancy processes: basic updraft/downdraft, (ordinary cells) • Gust front processes: triggering of new cells, upscale growth, (multicells) • Dynamic processes: rotating updraft, dynamic vertical pressure gradient forcing, (supercells)
Density Current: Theoretical speed of propagation:
RKW Theory Rotunno et al. (JAS, 1988) C/∆u > 1 “Optimal”condition for cold pool lifting C/∆u = 1 C/∆u < 1
Physical processes controlling cell types: • Buoyancy processes: basic updraft/downdraft, (ordinary cells) • Gust front processes: triggering of new cells, upscale growth, (multicells) • Dynamic processes: rotating updraft, dynamic vertical pressure gradient forcing, (supercells)
Dynamic Pressure Effects: (take divergence) diagnostic pressure eq. Dynamic pressure Buoyancy pressure Vertical momentum:
~ Updraft growing in sheared environment: