Characterizing convective cold pools

Cold pools produced by convective storms play an important role in Earth's climate system. However, a common framework does not exist for objectively identifying convective cold pools in observations and models. The present study investigates convective cold pools within a simulation of tropica...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of advances in modeling earth systems 2017-06, Vol.9 (2), p.1091-1115
Main Authors:	Drager, Aryeh J., van den Heever, Susan C.
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Algorithms Atmospheric precipitations Boundaries Climate Cold Cold pools Convection Convective storms density currents Earth ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Evolution Frameworks Gradients Mathematical models Numerical models Numerical simulations Potential temperature Precipitation Rain Rainfall rate Simulation Storms Studies Surface temperature Temperature fields Tropical climate wet patches
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Summary:	Cold pools produced by convective storms play an important role in Earth's climate system. However, a common framework does not exist for objectively identifying convective cold pools in observations and models. The present study investigates convective cold pools within a simulation of tropical continental convection that uses a cloud‐resolving model with a coupled land‐surface model. Multiple variables are assessed for their potential in identifying convective cold pool boundaries, and a novel technique is developed and tested for identifying and tracking cold pools in numerical model simulations. This algorithm is based on surface rainfall rates and radial gradients in the density potential temperature field. The algorithm successfully identifies near‐surface cold pool boundaries and is able to distinguish between connected cold pools. Once cold pools have been identified and tracked, composites of cold pool evolution are then constructed, and average cold pool properties are investigated. Wet patches are found to develop within the centers of cold pools where the ground has been soaked with rainwater. These wet patches help to maintain cool surface temperatures and reduce cold pool dissipation, which has implications for the development of subsequent convection. Key Points A new cold pool identification and tracking algorithm for numerical model outputs is introduced The algorithm successfully identifies convective cold pool boundaries, including colliding convective cold pools Cold pool dissipation is delayed in “wet patch” regions near cold pool center where the ground has been previously soaked by precipitation
ISSN:	1942-2466 1942-2466