[The thermodynamical impact of an explicitly simulated cloud ensemble]

F. Guichard, J.-P. Lafore, J.-L. Redelsperger and P. Jabouille

Centre National de Recherches Météorologiques/GAME (CNRS & Météo-France), France

Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Sciences, Série II, 1996, fascicule a: 323(1), pp.17-24.

Abstract: A cloud resolving model is used to determine and to analyse the thermodynamical impact of a deep convective cloud ensemble. This impact must be parameterized in large-scale models. New elements of comparison with parameterizations are given here. The simulated system exhibits an equilibrium of mass, involving thermodynamical and microphysical processes. We also show that convective vertical transport occurs on a very fine scale (approximately kilometre). This result calls into question some basic hypotheses assumed in existing parameterizations.