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Parameterization of a momentum source in a tropical cumulus ensemble

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Summary

An eddy effect of tropical deep convection on the large-scale momentum, resp vorticity budget is investigated. The process is specified by a simple parameterization approach which is based on a concept of rotating clouds exerting a momentum on the large-scale flow. The cloud rotation is associated with the thermal properties of a cloud ensemble by the principle of conservation of potential vorticity. A decomposition of cloud classes is applied in consistency with the thermodynamical parameterization scheme of Arakawa and Schubert (1974).

The parameterization is tested with observations of GATE74, Phase III. The data are processed on a B/C-scale grid (55km) in a region within 9N and 16N, and between 21W and 27W, and with a vertical resolution of 41 levels. The parameterization results correspond to the observed patterns, especially in situations with strong large-scale wind shear. The findings suggest that certain large-scalle flow regimes provoke convective scale momentum generation rather than redistributing large-scale momentum by convective circulations.

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  1. W. König

    Present address: Meteorologisches Institut der Universität Hamburg, Bundesstrasse 55, D-20146, Hamburg, Germany

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    König, W. Parameterization of a momentum source in a tropical cumulus ensemble. Meteorl. Atmos. Phys. 52, 153–167 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01031874

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