Identifying Downdrafts in Convective Organization
Making better predictions of cloud systems like fast-acting hurricanes, or the longer-lasting Madden Julian Oscillation require improved understanding of cloud development. Cloud resolving models are used to simulate such systems in order to provide analysis beyond that which can be conducted via observations. Earlier studies showed correlations between downward moving air and moist cloud regions when simulations were initialized within rotating cloud resolving models. This research attempted to corroborate such findings by investigating two different types of convective simulations initialized within a non-rotating cloud model. While findings did show downward motion within the moist regions, they also demonstrated a more even distribution of upward motion. This suggests that further work should be done before conclusively identifying a feedback mechanism within non-rotating models.
References
Davis, Christopher A, 2015: The Formation of Moist Vortices and Tropical Cyclones in Idealized Simulations, J. Atmospheric Sciences, 72, 3499 – 3516
Fox, K. Ryder, 2016: Identifying Downdrafts in Convective Organization: Improving Climate Modeling through Deeper Understanding. Student Research Symposium, Socorro, NM, New Mexico Tech.
K. Ryder Fox 