Size distribution of convective thermals in an unstable stratified turbulent surface layer

An ensemble of convective thermals is considered in the surface layer of penetrative turbulent convection over a homogeneous heated horizontal surface. An integral model of an unsteady spontaneous jet having an exact self-similar solution is proposed to describe the dynamics of an isolated convective element. A statistical model for an ensemble of convective elements using a hydrodynamic analogy of the isolated spontaneous jet equations is suggested. It is supposed that motion of the elements of an ensemble corresponds to a statistic invariant that combines the squared velocity and the diameter of the jet. Using the combination of the statistic invariant of an ensemble and the Boltzmann distributions on squares of velocities, the size distribution of spontaneous jets in a convective surface layer of the atmosphere is constructed, which agrees with available experimental data.      

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为了研究爆炸及燃烧产生的“蘑菇状”烟云,采用中尺度气象模式RAMS(Regional Atmospheric Modeling System)模拟计算了冲击波过后的爆炸烟云运动过程。对于稳定层结大气条件,模拟结果显示爆炸烟云造成的流动是一个多层次涡-波运动的过程。爆炸烟云在浮力作用下会形成浮力涡环结构,在到达最大高度以后,其烟云外侧边缘部分涡度变号,形成了环套环的多涡结构。随时间增加,涡能量的逐步衰减,涡运动转变为重力内波运动。通过模拟不同爆炸当量和不同稳定度烟云的上升最大高度,得到了与目前常用的爆炸烟云上升公式一致的形式。     

稳定大气条件下爆炸烟云的数值模拟研究

为了研究爆炸及燃烧产生的"蘑菇"状烟云,采用中尺度气象模式RAMS(regional atmosphericmodeling system)模拟研究了冲击波过后的爆炸烟云运动过程.流场和涡度场结果显示,对于稳定层结大气条件,爆炸烟云在浮力作用下会形成浮力涡环结构;烟云在到达最大高度以后,形成了环套环的多涡结构.通过模拟不同爆炸当量和不同大气稳定度的烟云上升最大高度,得到了与目前常用的爆炸烟云上升公式一致的形式.     

The physical origin of the land–ocean contrast in lightning activity

New tests and older ideas are explored to understand the origin of the pronounced contrast in lightning between land and sea. The behavior of islands as miniature continents with variable area supports the traditional thermal hypothesis over the aerosol hypothesis for lightning control. The substantial land–ocean contrast in updraft strength is supported globally by TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) radar comparisons of mixed phase radar reflectivity. The land–ocean updraft contrast is grossly inconsistent with the land–ocean contrast in CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy), from the standpoint of parcel theory. This inconsistency is resolved by the scaling of buoyant parcel size with cloud base height, as suggested by earlier investigators. Strongly electrified continental convection is then favored by a larger surface Bowen ratio, and by larger, more strongly buoyant boundary layer parcels which more efficiently transform CAPE to kinetic energy of the updraft in the moist stage of conditional instability. To cite this article: E. Williams, S. Stanfill, C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 1277–1292.