Scale Interaction Modeling
Our climate system is the result of constant communication between the components of the Earth system on different scales, from the microscale (< 1km) to the large scale (> 2000 km). Among the diverse phenomena playing a part in this constant communication, atmospheric convection stands up due to its role in energy transfer. Atmospheric convection involves the interaction among scales and components: Going from microscale processes transferring energy in the air-surface interface, passing by the development of convective clouds and their interaction with mesoscale circulation to the influence of the large-scale flow. Moreover, atmospheric convection can impact other Earth system components: By introducing fresh water into the upper ocean, convective precipitation can affect local ocean circulation.
From this perspective, the objective of our group is to understand the scale interaction during atmospheric convection and to identify the ones important in shaping climatic features. As a first step, the group is going to identify the role of the different scales in moistening the boundary layer in convective regions, where light winds and warm sea surfaces interact. At present, the group uses simulations where processes in the microscale (Large Eddy simulations) or in the mesoscale (storm-resolving simulations) are explicitly resolved, as well as observational data, e.g., from the ORCESTRA campaign.
Group members and publications
Contact
Dr. Hans M. Segura Cajachagua
Group leader
Phone: +49 (0)40 41173-207
hans.segura@mpimet.mpg.de
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