Effects of In-Cloud Processes Upon the Vertical Distribution of Aerosol Particles: Observations and Numerical Simulations

This study reports preliminary results from storm dynamic calculations for the purpose of understanding the in-cloud processes which contribute to the generation of the aerosol particle and water vapor profiles previously observed. Calculations of the vertical distributions of water vapor and aerosol particles as affected by a precipitating convective cloud are presented in Section 3. These calculations employ a one dimensional cloud model with cloud dynamics and microphysics. Modifications have been made to this model to allow it to follow "tagged" water vapor and aerosol particles that originate at a specified altitude. These tagged species interact in the same way as ordinary'' water and particles and are used to determine whether particles and water vapor are scavenged with comparable efficiency. Results are compared for two cases; one with a low efficiency of aerosol activation and one with all aerosol particles becoming activated.