Vertical Mixing Due to Penetrative Convection

Abstract

A method for estimating environmental temperature and moisture increases due to penetrative convection is discussed. The estimates depend on the upward flux across the earth surface, the large-scale horizontal convergence, and the variation of entrainment of outside air by the convective element with height. The effect of thermals originating at the surface layer as well as those at upper levels are incorporated. The method could be generalized to include the exchange of other atmospheric properties such as momentum and atmospheric pollutants. An application of the method to determine the heating of the environment by dry convection is described.