Physics:Hydrometeor loading

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Hydrometeor loading is the induced drag effects on the atmosphere from a falling hydrometeor. When falling at terminal velocity, the value of this drag is equal to grh, where g is the acceleration due to gravity and rh is the mixing ratio of the hydrometeors. Hydrometeor loading has a net-negative effect on the atmospheric buoyancy equations.[1] As the hydrometeor falls toward the surface, the surrounding air provides resistance against the acceleration due to gravity, and the air in the vicinity of the hydrometeor becomes denser.[2] The increased weight of the atmosphere can support a present downdraft or even cause a downdraft to occur.[3] Hydrometeor loading can also lead to increased high pressure inside of a mesohigh in a thunderstorm.[4]

References

  1. Markowski, Paul; Yvette Richardson (2010). Mesoscale Meteorology in Midlatitudes. West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.. pp. 20. ISBN 978-0-470-74213-6. 
  2. Asnani, G.C.; M. K. Rama Varma Raja (March 2000). "A New Hypothesis for Layers of High Reflectivity Seen in MST Radar Observations". arXiv:physics/0003028v1.
  3. Geerts, B; E. Linacre. "Microbursts". http://www-das.uwyo.edu/~geerts/cwx/notes/chap08/microburst.html. Retrieved 16 October 2011. 
  4. Sanders, Frederick; Kerry A. Emanuel (February 1977). "The Momentum Budget and Temporal Evolution of a Mesoscale Convective System". Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences 34 (2): 322–330. doi:10.1175/1520-0469(1977)034<0322:TMBATE>2.0.CO;2. Bibcode1977JAtS...34..322S.