EFFECTS OF PRECIPITATION ON THE THERMODYNAMIC STRUCTURE OF THE TRADE-WIND BOUNDARY-LAYER

A model of the thermodynamic structure of the trade wind boundary laye r is formulated to include the parameterization of precipitation in re latively shallow clouds. Although the area-averaged simulated precipit ation rates are relatively small (less than 1 mm/day), the inclusion o f precipitation has an appreciable effect on the predicted thermodynam ic structure. The cloud layer structure simulated with precipitation i s warmer, drier, and more stable than that simulated without precipita tion. The simulated inversion height is lowered by as much as 60 mbar when precipitation is included.