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The formation of large droplets in small cumulus
Author(s) -
Mason B. J.,
Ghosh D. K.
Publication year - 1957
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.49708335805
Subject(s) - coalescence (physics) , cloud condensation nuclei , condensation , radius , materials science , chemistry , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , physics , astrobiology , aerosol , computer security , computer science
Droplets of radius exceeding 30 μ are sometimes found in concentrations of order 100/ l in non‐precipitating cumulus less than 5,000 ft in depth and having, on average, liquid‐water contents of only a few tenths of a gramme per m 3 . It is shown that droplets of this size may be produced by condensation and coalescence on hygroscopic nuclei of mass greater than 10 −11 g entering the bases of such shallow clouds, provided that these last for at least one hour. The published concentrations of giant salt nuclei seem only just sufficient to account for the observed numbers of large droplets, but simultaneous measurements of both are urgently required.