The Impact of Dimensionality on Barotropic Processes during KWAJEX

AbstractIn this study, the 2D and 3D cloud-resolving model simulations of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Kwajalein Experiment (KWAJEX) are compared to study the impact of dimensionality on barotropic processes during tropical convective development. Barotropic conversion of perturbation kinetic energy is associated with vertical transport of horizontal momentum under vertical shear of background horizontal winds. The similarities in both 2D and 3D model simulations show that 1) vertical wind shear is a necessary condition for barotropic conversion, but it does not control the barotropic conversion; 2) the evolution of barotropic conversion is related to that of the vertical transport of horizontal momentum; and 3) the tendency of vertical transport of horizontal momentum is mainly determined by the covariance between horizontal wind and the cloud hydrometeor component of buoyancy. The differences between the 2D and 3D model simulations reveal that 1) the barotropic conversion has shorter t...