Orateur
Description
Developing a tractable understanding of the interaction between cumulus clouds’ ellipticity and tilt from shear flows is crucial to expanding theories associated with squall line development and tradewind cumuli climatological feedbacks. Here, we focus on the dynamic interplay between cloud-scale flows and shear flows. To perform this investigation, we implement a Kinematic Representation of Neutrally-buoyant Updraft Tori (KRoNUT) model for cloud-scale motions that allows for tilt and ellipticity. Using a moment closure technique, we then solve for the Dynamics of Neutrally-buoyant Updraft Tori (DoNUT) equations, a coupled non-linear system of ordinary differential equations which govern the temporal evolution of the parameters describing the intensity and geometry of a cloud-scale flow. Using this technique, we analytically and numerically investigate the behavior of the DoNUT equations to better appreciate how this additional geometry influences the life cycle of a cumulus cloud.