Open AccessLarge‐eddy simulations of Hector the convector making the stratosphere wetter
Author(s) -
Dauhut Thibaut,
Chaboureau JeanPierre,
Escobar Juan,
Mascart Patrick
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
atmospheric science letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 45
ISSN - 1530-261X
DOI - 10.1002/asl2.534
Subject(s) - stratosphere , atmospheric sciences , water vapor , environmental science , meteorology , climatology , altitude (triangle) , thunderstorm , large eddy simulation , geology , physics , turbulence , geometry , mathematics
A large‐eddy simulation (LES) was performed for a Hector thunderstorm observed on 30 November 2005 over the Tiwi Islands. On that day, ice particles reaching 19‐km altitude were measured. The LES developed overshooting updrafts penetrating the stratosphere that compared well with observations. Much of the water injected in the form of ice particles sublimated in the lower stratosphere. Net hydration was found with a 16% increase in water vapour. While moistening appeared to be robust with respect to the grid spacing used, grid spacing on the order of 100 m may be necessary for a reliable estimate of hydration.