DOE OSTI · 3387424
Aerosol-deep convection interaction based on joint cell-thermal tracking in Large Eddy Simulations during the TRACER campaign
Abstract
In cumulus clouds, aerosol concentrations control cloud droplet concentrations, modifying cloud radiative properties, precipitation processes, and cloud electrification. However, mechanisms of aerosol-deep convection interactions are not well understood due to complex cloud dynamics and microphysics. We investigate the interaction of aerosols with isolated deep convection using Large Eddy Simulations of two cases during the TRacking Aerosol Convection interactions ExpeRiment (TRACER) near Houston, Texas, using a joint cell-thermal tracking algorithm. Cumulus thermals are droplet generators, since supersaturation and droplet nucleation coincide with thermal centers, where the strongest updrafts occur. Primary ice crystal formation does not take place inside thermals, but at layers where previous thermals detrained moisture. As subsequent thermals containing supercooled droplets penetrate these layers, hail and graupel form at or near these thermals. Higher aerosol concentrations result in higher droplet concentrations that suppress drizzle, delay warm rain processes, and transport more moisture aloft. This increases snow and ice amount, as well as graupel and hail, leading to more lightning. Polluted thermals initiate at slightly higher altitudes, and are slightly larger and faster, suggesting a weak invigoration. We also find more thermals per cell, but fewer isolated cells, since convection is more aggregated and intense, especially near the end of the 24 h simulation. Non-linear mesoscale feedback likely triggered by temperature and moisture responses to aerosol-thermal interactions causes the aggregation. Time-lagged aerosol-reinitialization experiments show that the mesoscale response is the predominant forcing for the invigoration. These changes happen within one day, on a smaller scale than previously suggested.
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Hernandez-Deckers, Daniel [Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá (Colombia)] (ORCID:0000000312776677), Matsui, Toshihisa [NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD (United States); University of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States). Earth System Science Interdisciplanary Center (ESSIC)], Iguchi, Takamichi [NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD (United States); University of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States). Earth System Science Interdisciplanary Center (ESSIC)] (ORCID:0000000300791925), Brunner, Kelcy [NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD (United States); University of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States). Earth System Science Interdisciplanary Center (ESSIC)], Bruning, Eric [Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX (United States)] (ORCID:000000031959442X), van Lier-Walqui, Marcus [NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), New York, NY (United States); Columbia University, New York, NY (United States)] (ORCID:0000000206280045), Mansell, Edward R. [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Norman, OK (United States). NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL)], Subba, Tamanna [Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)] (ORCID:0000000203199751), Kuang, Chongai [Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)], Jensen, Michael P. [Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)] (ORCID:0000000347316814), Braun, Scott [NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD (United States)]. 2026-07-17. Aerosol-deep convection interaction based on joint cell-thermal tracking in Large Eddy Simulations during the TRACER campaign. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10071-2026
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