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Trimodal cloudiness and tropical stable layers in simulations of radiative convective equilibrium
Author(s) -
Posselt D. J.,
van den Heever S. C.,
Stephens G. L.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2007gl033029
Subject(s) - longwave , radiative transfer , radiative cooling , atmospheric sciences , convection , subsidence , tropical cyclone , climatology , environmental science , cloud feedback , radiative equilibrium , geology , meteorology , physics , climate model , climate change , paleontology , oceanography , climate sensitivity , quantum mechanics , structural basin
In this paper, we examine the tropical environment at radiative convective equilibrium using a large‐domain cloud system resolving numerical model. As in observed studies of convectively active periods over warm tropical oceans (in particular the tropical western Pacific), we find a trimodal cloud structure that is closely associated with the presence of three distinct stable layers, including a prominent stable layer located near the zero‐degree Celsius level. In addition, the simulation exhibits three separate large scale zonal overturning circulations, with two of these circulations located above the trade wind inversion and separated by the freezing level stable layer. At equilibrium, latent heat release associated with freezing and melting processes is dwarfed by that of vapor transitions, and simulation results suggest that this stable layer can be maintained by subsidence in the presence of longwave radiative cooling above the zero‐degree level.