May 16 – 19, 2022
Utrecht
Europe/Amsterdam timezone

Self-aggregation of convective storms

May 18, 2022, 3:15 PM
30m
Public Library (Utrecht)

Public Library

Utrecht

Neude 11, 3512 AE Utrecht, the Netherlands

Speaker

caroline muller (CNRS/LMD)

Description

Idealized simulations of the tropical atmosphere have predicted that clouds can spontaneously clump together in space, despite perfectly homogeneous settings. This phenomenon has been called self-aggregation, and results in a state where a moist cloudy region with intense deep convective storms is surrounded by extremely dry subsiding air devoid of deep clouds. We review here the main findings from theoretical work and idealized models, highlighting the physical processes believed to play a key role in convective self-aggregation. We also review the growing literature on the importance and implications of this phenomenon for the atmosphere, notably for the hydrological cycle and for precipitation extremes.

Primary authors

Presentation materials