LIQUID WATER WITHIN CONVECTIVE CLOUDS

Abstract

Measurements of liquid-water content in cumulus clouds were made with a device which records changes of conductivity of a paper tape with changes of wetness. One series of measurements was made in tropical cumuli; another was made in clouds over the Central United States. Examples of the variability of liquid water in convective clouds and typical values are given. It was found that the high values of liquid-water content occurred in clouds in which precipitation formed. Comparisons of the observed values of liquid water with theoretical values based on an assumption of moist-adiabatic air ascent, without mixing, lead to the conclusion that clouds with precipitation contain regions where the liquid water exceeds the theoretical amounts.