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The influence of entrainment on the evolution of cloud droplet spectra: II. Field experiments at Great Dun Fell
Author(s) -
Blyth A. M.,
Choularton T. W.,
Fullarton G.,
Latham J.,
Mill C. S.,
Smith M. H.,
Stromberg I. M.
Publication year - 1980
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.49710645012
Subject(s) - liquid water content , environmental science , entrainment (biomusicology) , drop (telecommunication) , atmospheric sciences , cloud physics , adiabatic process , mechanics , meteorology , air entrainment , cloud computing , geology , physics , thermodynamics , telecommunications , rhythm , computer science , acoustics , operating system
Measurements have been made of the liquid water content and droplet‐size distributions within clouds enveloping the summit of Great Dun Fell, Cumbria. These covered extensive periods and a variety of meteorological situations. It was found that in highly stable atmospheric conditions cap clouds contain narrow drop‐size distributions and near adiabatic liquid water content. In less stable conditions mixing with the cloud environment was found to have a substantial effect on the microphysical properties of the cloud. In the cases studied the admixture of undersaturated air was found to produce a substantially subadiabatic liquid water content and the spectral shape experienced broadening in a way more consistent with the extreme inhomogeneous model of mixing described in Paper I* than with the classical treatment. In particular, it was found that a small number of large drops experience a greatly enhanced growth rate. In a particular study, it was observed that the interaction of the cap cloud with a pre‐existing strato‐cumulus deck produced a broad drop‐size distribution and an enhanced liquid water content.