Hidden anatomy of clouds reveals how rain may begin without ice crystals
The initiation of rain in clouds without ice remains one of the largest unsolved mysteries in atmospheric science.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS) have discovered previously invisible structures within shallow cumulus clouds that could help explain how rain forms without the presence of ice crystals. Utilizing a unique cloud observation platform called CloudKite, the scientists were able to study cloud microphysics and turbulence at an unprecedented level of detail.
The CloudKite, which operates at a slow, steady pace through clouds, enabled measurements every 12 centimeters, a resolution 250 times higher than previous airborne observations. The study revealed that instead of droplets being evenly distributed, they form highly localized "hotspots" only a few meters across. Within these regions, the droplets are much closer together, significantly increasing the likelihood of collisions and the creation of larger raindrops.
This finding contradicts the assumption that droplet clustering is weak and evenly spread out throughout clouds. The researchers believe that these localized hotspots may represent the critical places where rain begins in shallow cumulus clouds, thereby overcoming the initial bottleneck in warm-rain formation. Understanding this hidden internal structure of clouds could lead to more accurate weather forecasts and improved climate projections, as warm clouds play a significant role in regulating Earth's energy budget, particularly in the tropics.
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