Distinct Mixing Regimes in Shallow Cumulus Clouds | CU Experts

Understanding the nature of mixing between cloudy air and its; surroundings is an important and yet, open question. In this research,; we use high-resolution (10m) bin-microphysics LES of a cumulus cloud,; together with a Lagrangian passive tracer tracking method, to study; mixing. We analyze the passive tracers as a function of their; trajectories and the thermodynamic conditions they undergo inside and; outside the cloud. Three main mixing regimes (core, periphery, and skin); are identified, each determining a subset of tracers with similar; trajectories. These mixing regimes can be observed throughout the; cloud’s lifetime. At the dissipation stage, a fourth regime is; identified: cloud-top entrainment followed by downdrafts.

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