Dynamics of downdrafts and their role in tropical rainfall

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Under the impacts of climate change, variations in rainfall intensities and patterns can cause huge human, agricultural, ecological and economic costs. This rainfall is associated with strong convective storms that create descending columns of cold air and rain. It is unclear how the various dynamical processes interact to produce the observed rainfall distributions, what determines the initial properties of the cold pool that results from the impact of the downdraft with the ground, and how a collision of two or more pools triggers secondary convection. The student will carry out laboratory experiments to determine the main physical processes that control the generation of secondary convection and rainfall patterns and intensities. These experiments will be interpreted in terms of mathematical models and then extrapolated to the meteorological context. The student will receive training in laboratory experiments including PIV, digital image processing and data analysis, and in mathematical modeling. The student will also be trained to use the Met Office numerical models and interpret the results