Liquid Water Content Measurements Research Articles

LIQUID WATER WITHIN CONVECTIVE CLOUDS

Abstract Measurements of liquid-water content in cumulus clouds were made with a device which records changes of conductivity of a paper tape with changes of wetness. One series of measurements was made in tropical cumuli; another was made in clouds over the Central United States. Examples of the variability of liquid water in convective clouds and typical values are given. It was found that the high values of liquid-water content occurred in clouds in which precipitation formed. Comparisons of the observed values of liquid water with theoretical values based on an assumption of moist-adiabatic air ascent, without mixing, lead to the conclusion that clouds with precipitation contain regions where the liquid water exceeds the theoretical amounts.

The Spatial Variation of Liquid Water and Droplet Concentration in Cumuli

Measurements of liquid water content and droplet concentration in cumuli over path lengths of about one metre have been used to investigate the structure of these clouds. The measurements indicate that the cloud process is far from adiabatic, and that a dominating role is played by the admixture of drier air from outside the cloud. They suggest, further, that the main source of this dry air may be the region above the cloud top. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1958.tb02024.x

The Spatial Variation of Liquid Water and Droplet Concentration in Cumuli

Measurements of liquid water content and droplet concentration in cumuli over path lengths of about one metre have been used to investigate the structure of these clouds. The measurements indicate that the cloud process is far from adiabatic, and that a dominating role is played by the admixture of drier air from outside the cloud. They suggest, further, that the main source of this dry air may be the region above the cloud top.