Numerical Simulation of a Cumulus Ensemble in Three Dimensions

Abstract

Hill's (1974) method of random surface heating as an initiation mechanism for convection is incorporated into a three-dimensional cumulus cloud model. Results are presented on the development of a cumulus ensemble, the interactions of clouds in the population, and the mechanism for the successive generation of clouds in a shearing environment. Comparison of the characteristics of the simulated echoes with statistics of radar observations indicates fair agreement for echoes with an area less than 60 km2. A particularly good correspondence is demonstrated between the observed and simulated echo top distributions.