Enhanced Cumulus - Typical Appearance In Vertical Cross Sections
by KNMI, ZAMG and DHMZ
- Isentropes:
ECs and Cb clusters exist within an unstable airmass. This can be observed in the cross section by decreasing values of isentropes with height within lower and mid-levels of the troposphere (usually between surface and 700 hPa). - Relative humidity:
There are high values of relative humidity within the lower and mid-levels of the troposphere. In the layer between 1000 - 700 hPa, a humidity maximum can often be observed. The relative humidity isolines show a maximum (90-100%) near the surface, but also relative maxima higher in the atmosphere in the vicinity of the clusters. - Divergence:
The field of divergence shows convergence within lower and mid-levels in the area of the EC and divergence above. - Vorticity advection:
The field of vorticity advection is characterised by maxima generally at higher levels of the atmosphere. A maximum can often be observed between 500 and 300 hPa. - Vertical motion:
A maximum of vertical velocity is found in the layer between 700 and 600 hPa.
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24 April 2008/12.00 UTC - Meteosat 9 IR10.8 image; position of vertical cross section indicated
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13 January 2008/18.00 UTC - Meteosat 9 IR10.8 image; position of vertical cross section indicated
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Isentropes
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24 April 2008/12.00 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (ThetaE)
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13 January 2008/18.00 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (ThetaE)
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Relative Humidity
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24 April 2008/12.00 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (ThetaE), blue: relative humidity
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13 January 2008/18.00 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (ThetaE), blue: relative humidity
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Divergence
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24 April 2008/12.00 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (ThetaE), magenta thin: divergence, magenta thick: convergence
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13 January 2008/18.00 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (ThetaE), magenta thin: divergence, magenta thick: convergence
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Vorticity Advection
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24 April 2008/12.00 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (ThetaE), green: vorticity advection
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13 January 2008/18 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (ThetaE), green: vorticity advection
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Vertical Motion
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24 April 2008/12.00 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (ThetaE), cyan thick: vertical motion (omega) - upward motion,
cyan thin: vertical motion (omega) - downward motion
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13 January 2008/18.00 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (ThetaE), cyan thick: vertical motion (omega) - upward motion,
cyan thin: vertical motion (omega) - downward motion
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