The Diurnal Precipitation Change over the Sea

Abstract

Analysis of nine weathership records indicates that maritime precipitation is significantly more frequent at night. The effect varies with season and latitude. The diurnal variation is related to the absorption of solar radiation. Non-adiabatic heating may cause a reduction of liquid water production within rising clouds; this factor becomes important when vertical velocities are not too high. At the top of layer clouds, the diurnal rhythm of irradiation can also cause a time-lagged diurnal change of inversion levels and cloud thickness. The last inference is supported by observational data.