Clouds with turbulence; the role of entrainment

Abstract

Cloud physics has grown up with concentrated efforts focused on compartmentalized topics in the subject, where researchers have studied specific problems with little regard to other areas. The developing understanding of turbulent entrainment and the understanding that turbulence is best described in the atmosphere by circulating self-contained entities, which are often buoyant and carry fluid from one level to another, has led to a unifying picture of clouds wherein all clouds and convective processes can be seen as one phenomenon in which various conditions decide the final form. The microphysical processes are described and the controlling effects of entity type entrainment mixing are shown to provide an explanation for many of the observations. The inadequacy of most computer calculations in providing viable models is pointed out. The need for self-consistent conceptual structures as a basis for adequate models is stressed. Improved instruments for remote sensing and aircraft measurements, along with the present conceptual developments and computational capabilities, suggest that adequate models of clouds may be soon developed.