Development of near-cloud turbulence diagnostics based on a convective gravity wave drag parameterization

The NCT diagnostics are obtained based on (i) CGWD and (ii) minimum Richardson number including the effects of convective gravity waves (CGWs). The feasibility of the NCT diagnostics is examined using numerical simulation results of real turbulence cases related to the breaking of CGWs, which occurred over eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois in the United States on 9–10 March 2006, and near Fukuoka, Japan, on 2 September 2007.

On 9–10 March 2006, several instances of moderate-or-greater (MOG)-intensity turbulence were reported above shallow but active convection over the central United States, while on 2 September 2007, severe turbulence was encountered above dissipating convection near Fukuoka, Japan. The high-resolution simulation results for both turbulence events show that CGWs and their breaking provide favorable environments for turbulence generation.