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Abstract Observations and cloud‐resolving simulations suggest that a convective updraft structure drawing mass from a deep lower‐tropospheric layer occurs over a wide range of conditions. This occurs for both mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) and less‐organized convection, raising the question: is there a simple, universal characteristic governing the deep inflow? Here, we argue that nonlocal dynamics of the response to buoyancy are key. For precipitating deep‐convective features including horizontal scales comparable to a substantial fraction of the troposphere depth, the response to buoyancy tends to yield deep inflow into the updraft mass flux. Precipitation features in this range of scales are found to dominate contributions to observed convective precipitation for both MCS and less‐organized convection. The importance of such nonlocal dynamics implies thinking beyond parcel models with small‐scale turbulence for representation of convection in climate models. Solutions here lend support to investment in parameterizations at a complexity between conventional and superparameterization.
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Identifying the Deep‐Inflow Mixing Features in Orographically‐Locked Diurnal Convection
Abstract Orographically‐locked diurnal convection involves interactions between local circulation and the thermodynamic environment of convection. Here, the relationships of convective updraft structures over orographic precipitation hotspots and their upstream environment in the TaiwanVVM large‐eddy simulations are analyzed for the occurrence of the orographic locking features. Strong convective updraft columns within heavily precipitating, organized systems exhibit a mass flux profile gradually increasing with height through a deep lower‐tropospheric inflow layer. Enhanced convective development is associated with higher upstream moist static energy (MSE) transport through this deep‐inflow layer via local circulation, augmenting the rain rate by 36% in precipitation hotspots. The simulations provide practical guidance for targeted observations within the most common deep‐inflow path. Preliminary field measurements support the presence of high MSE transport within the deep‐inflow layer when organized convection occurs at the hotspot. Orographically‐locked convection facilitate both modeling and field campaign design to examine the general properties of active deep convection.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1936810
- PAR ID:
- 10413132
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.1029
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Geophysical Research Letters
- Volume:
- 50
- Issue:
- 10
- ISSN:
- 0094-8276
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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