Premium
The white box: The mean mechanics of the cumulus cycle
Author(s) -
Fraser A. B.
Publication year - 1968
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.49709439908
Subject(s) - meteorology , environmental science , cloud computing , convection , white box , mechanics , atmospheric sciences , geology , physics , computer science , software engineering , operating system
A region surrounding a cumulus cloud is defined in such a way that (when virtual temperature effects are neglected) there is no sensible heat transfer across the boundaries of the region. This simplifies the discussion of the interaction between the cumulus and its environment. A model of the region, which is called the white box, is developed and an estimate is made of the net vertical mass transport within it as a function of height. Rain and cloud radiation have the effect of modifying this transport and may be described in terms of it. If the requirements of continuity are satisfied by means of an alteration of the wind profile of the environment downstream, the wind near the base of the cloud downstream is increased. It is shown that cumulus convection can destabilize as well as stabilize its environment.