Characterizing mesoscale cellular convection in marine cold air outbreaks with a machine learning approach

This adds classification noise, requiring numerous cell transects to isolate cell dynamical information. The SOM-based classification shows that comparatively intense convection occurs only in open MCC. This convection undergoes an apparent lifecycle.

Developing cells are associated with stronger updrafts, large spectrum width, larger amounts of liquid water, lower surface precipitation rates, and lower cloud tops than mature and weakening cells. The weakening of these cells is associated with the development of precipitation-induced cold pools. The SOM classification also reveals less intense convection, with a similar lifecycle.

More stratiform vertical cloud structures with weak vertical motions are common during closed MCC periods and are separated into precipitating and non-precipitating stratiform cores. Convection is observed only occasionally in the closed MCC environment.