NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THE LIFE CYCLE OF A THUNDERSTORM CELL

A model of cumulus clouds is presented that combines the vertical equation of motion, the equation of mass continuity, the first law of thermodynamics, and the following cloud microphysical processes: condensation of water vapor to produce cloud droplets, conversion of cloud droplets to raindrops, glaciation, sublimation of water vapor, melting of ice crystals, evaporation of cloud droplets, evaporation of raindrops, evaporation of ice crystals, and evaporation of melting ice crystals. The conversion and glaciation processes are parameterized and the drag fade is assumed to be provided by the weight of hydrometeors.