scholarly journals Theoretical Expressions for the Ascent Rate of Moist Deep Convective Thermals

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 1699-1719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh Morrison ◽  
John M. Peters
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Velocity ◽  
Reasonable Agreement ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Gradient Force ◽  
Pressure Gradient Force ◽  
Ascent Rate ◽  
Approximate Analytic Expression ◽  
Spherical Vortex ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Vertical Distribution

An approximate analytic expression is derived for the ratio λ of the ascent rate of moist deep convective thermals and the maximum vertical velocity within them; λ is characterized as a function of two nondimensional buoyancy-dependent parameters y and h and is used to express the thermal ascent rate as a function of the buoyancy field. The parameter y characterizes the vertical distribution of buoyancy within the thermal, and h is the ratio of the vertically integrated buoyancy from the surface to the thermal top and the vertical integral of buoyancy within the thermal. Theoretical λ values are calculated using values of y and h obtained from idealized numerical simulations of ascending moist updrafts and compared to λ computed directly from the simulations. The theoretical values of [Formula: see text] 0.4–0.8 are in reasonable agreement with the simulated λ (correlation coefficient of 0.86). These values are notably larger than the [Formula: see text] from Hill’s (nonbuoyant) analytic spherical vortex, which has been used previously as a framework for understanding the dynamics of moist convective thermals. The relatively large values of λ are a result of net positive buoyancy within the upper part of thermals that opposes the downward-directed dynamic pressure gradient force below the thermal top. These results suggest that nonzero buoyancy within moist convective thermals, relative to their environment, fundamentally alters the relationship between the maximum vertical velocity and the thermal-top ascent rate compared to nonbuoyant vortices. Implications for convection parameterizations and interpretation of the forces contributing to thermal drag are discussed.

scholarly journals The Impact of Effective Buoyancy and Dynamic Pressure Forcing on Vertical Velocities within Two-Dimensional Updrafts

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (11) ◽  
pp. 4531-4551 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Peters
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Velocity ◽  
Model Simulation ◽  
Cloud Model ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Temperature Perturbation ◽  
Gradient Force ◽  
Pressure Gradient Force ◽  
Vertical Acceleration ◽  
Pressure Force ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This research develops simple diagnostic expressions for vertical acceleration dw/dt and vertical velocity w within updrafts that account for effective buoyancy and the dynamic pressure gradient force. Effective buoyancy is the statically forced component of the vertical gradient in the nonhydrostatic pressure field. The diagnostic expressions derived herein show that the effective buoyancy of an updraft is dependent on the magnitude of the temperature perturbation within an updraft relative to the air along the updraft’s immediate periphery (rather than relative to an arbitrary base state as in ), the updraft’s height-to-width aspect ratio, and the updraft’s slant relative to the vertical. The diagnostic expressions are significantly improved over parcel theory (where pressure forces are ignored) in their portrayal of the vertical profile of w through updrafts from a cloud model simulation and accurately diagnosed the maximum vertical velocity wmax within updrafts. The largest improvements to the diagnostic expressions over parcel theory resulted from their dependence on rather than . Whereas the actual wmax within simulated updrafts was located approximately two-thirds to three-fourths of the distance between the updraft base and the updraft top, wmax within profiles diagnosed by expressions was portrayed at the updraft top when the dynamic pressure force was ignored. A rudimentary theoretical representation of the dynamic pressure force in the diagnostic expressions improved their portrayal of the simulated w profile. These results augment the conceptual understanding of convective updrafts and provide avenues for improving the representation of vertical mass flux in cumulus parameterizations.

High Winds Generated by Bow Echoes. Part II: The Relationship between the Mesovortices and Damaging Straight-Line Winds

2006 ◽  
Vol 134 (10) ◽  
pp. 2813-2829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger M. Wakimoto ◽  
Hanne V. Murphey ◽  
Christopher A. Davis ◽  
Nolan T. Atkins
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Airborne Radar ◽  
Gradient Force ◽  
Pressure Gradient Force ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Bow Echo ◽  
Perturbation Pressure ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
High Winds

Abstract Airborne radar analysis of a mesovortex that developed near the apex of a bow echo is presented. The mesovortex was shown to play a critical role in determining the location of intense “straight-line” wind damage at the surface. The perturbation pressure gradient force (in natural coordinates) along the parcel path accelerated the horizontal winds; however, intense mesovortices modified the low-level outflow and largely determined the locations where the strongest winds occurred. Regions of maximum winds are accounted for as a superposition of the vortex and the flow in which it is embedded. The strongest winds occur on the side of the vortex where translation and rotation effects are in the same direction. This model explains the observed tongue of high wind speeds that were confined to the periphery of the mesovortex. The origin of the mesovortex is also examined. Similarities and differences of this bow echo event with recent modeling studies are presented.

scholarly journals Important Factors for Tornadogenesis as Revealed by High-Resolution Ensemble Forecasts of the Tsukuba Supercell Tornado of 6 May 2012 in Japan

2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (4) ◽  
pp. 1109-1132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sho Yokota ◽  
Hiroshi Niino ◽  
Hiromu Seko ◽  
Masaru Kunii ◽  
Hiroshi Yamauchi
Keyword(s):  
Ground Level ◽  
Gradient Force ◽  
Pressure Gradient Force ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Ensemble Forecasts ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Large Water ◽  
Perturbation Pressure ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The City

To identify important factors for supercell tornadogenesis, 33-member ensemble forecasts of the supercell tornado that struck the city of Tsukuba, Japan, on 6 May 2012 were conducted using a mesoscale numerical model with a 50-m horizontal grid. Based on the ensemble forecasts, the sources of the rotation of simulated tornadoes and the relationship between tornadogenesis and mesoscale environmental processes near the tornado were analyzed. Circulation analyses of near-surface, tornadolike vortices simulated in several ensemble members showed that the rotation of the tornadoes could be frictionally generated near the surface. However, the mechanisms responsible for generating circulation were only weakly related to the strength of the tornadoes. To identify the mesoscale processes required for tornadogenesis, mesoscale atmospheric conditions and their correlations with the strength of tornadoes were examined. The results showed that two near-tornado mesoscale factors were important for tornadogenesis: strong low-level mesocyclones (LMCs) at about 1 km above ground level and humid air near the surface. Strong LMCs and large water vapor near the surface strengthened the nonlinear dynamic vertical perturbation pressure gradient force and buoyancy, respectively. These upward forces made contributions essential for tornadogenesis via tilting and stretching of vorticity near the surface.

scholarly journals The Influences of Effective Inflow Layer Streamwise Vorticity and Storm-Relative Flow on Supercell Updraft Properties

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (9) ◽  
pp. 3033-3057 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Peters ◽  
Christopher J. Nowotarski ◽  
Jake P. Mulholland ◽  
Richard L. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Velocity ◽  
Numerical Experiments ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Cold Pool ◽  
Streamwise Vorticity ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Pressure Perturbations ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Relative Flow

Abstract The relationship between storm-relative helicity (SRH) and streamwise vorticity ωs is frequently invoked to explain the often robust connections between effective inflow layer (EIL) SRH and various supercell updraft properties. However, the definition of SRH also contains storm-relative (SR) flow, and the separate influences of SR flow and ωs on updraft dynamics are therefore convolved when SRH is used as a diagnostic tool. To clarify this issue, proximity soundings and numerical experiments are used to disentangle the separate influences of EIL SR flow and ωs on supercell updraft characteristics. Our results suggest that the magnitude of EIL ωs has little influence on whether supercellular storm mode occurs. Rather, the transition from nonsupercellular to supercellular storm mode is largely modulated by the magnitude of EIL SR flow. Furthermore, many updraft attributes such as updraft width, maximum vertical velocity, vertical mass flux at all levels, and maximum vertical vorticity at all levels are largely determined by EIL SR flow. For a constant EIL SR flow, storms with large EIL ωs have stronger low-level net rotation and vertical velocities, which affirms previously established connections between ωs and tornadogenesis. EIL ωs also influences storms’ precipitation and cold-pool patterns. Vertical nonlinear dynamic pressure acceleration (NLDPA) is larger at low levels when EIL ωs is large, but differences in NLDPA aloft become uncorrelated with EIL ωs because storms’ midlevel dynamic pressure perturbations are substantially influenced by the tilting of midlevel vorticity. Our results emphasize the importance of considering EIL SR flow in addition to EIL SRH in the research and forecasting of supercell properties.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of Hurricane Intensity Forecast to Convective Momentum Transport Parameterization

2006 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 664-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jongil Han ◽  
Hua-Lu Pan
Keyword(s):  
Wind Shear ◽  
Vertical Wind Shear ◽  
Momentum Transport ◽  
Gradient Force ◽  
Pressure Gradient Force ◽  
Momentum Exchange ◽  
Forecast System ◽  
Hurricane Intensity ◽  
Convective Momentum Transport ◽  
The Many

Abstract A parameterization of the convection-induced pressure gradient force (PGF) in convective momentum transport (CMT) is tested for hurricane intensity forecasting using NCEP's operational Global Forecast System (GFS) and its nested Regional Spectral Model (RSM). In the parameterization the PGF is assumed to be proportional to the product of the cloud mass flux and vertical wind shear. Compared to control forecasts using the present operational GFS and RSM where the PGF effect in CMT is taken into account empirically, the new PGF parameterization helps increase hurricane intensity by reducing the vertical momentum exchange, giving rise to a closer comparison to the observations. In addition, the new PGF parameterization forecasts not only show more realistically organized precipitation patterns with enhanced hurricane intensity but also reduce the forecast track error. Nevertheless, the model forecasts with the new PGF parameterization still largely underpredict the observed intensity. One of the many possible reasons for the large underprediction may be the absence of hurricane initialization in the models.

scholarly journals Temporal evolution of the momentum balance terms and frictional adjustment observed over the inner shelf during a storm

Ocean Science ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Grifoll ◽  
A. L. Aretxabaleta ◽  
J. L. Pelegrí ◽  
M. Espino
Keyword(s):  
Coriolis Force ◽  
Wind Stress ◽  
Water Depth ◽  
Momentum Balance ◽  
Wave Radiation ◽  
Gradient Force ◽  
Pressure Gradient Force ◽  
Inner Shelf ◽  
Coastal Waves ◽  
Nw Mediterranean

Abstract. We investigate the rapidly changing equilibrium between the momentum sources and sinks during the passage of a single two-peak storm over the Catalan inner shelf (NW Mediterranean Sea). Velocity measurements at 24 m water depth are taken as representative of the inner shelf, and the cross-shelf variability is explored with measurements at 50 m water depth. During both wind pulses, the flow accelerated at 24 m until shortly after the wind maxima, when the bottom stress was able to compensate for the wind stress. Concurrently, the sea level also responded, with the pressure-gradient force opposing the wind stress. Before, during and after the second wind pulse, there were velocity fluctuations with both super- and sub-inertial periods likely associated with transient coastal waves. Throughout the storm, the Coriolis force and wave radiation stresses were relatively unimportant in the along-shelf momentum balance. The frictional adjustment timescale was around 10 h, consistent with the e-folding time obtained from bottom drag parameterizations. The momentum evolution at 50 m showed a larger influence of the Coriolis force at the expense of a decreased frictional relevance, typical in the transition from the inner to the mid-shelf.

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