On the Microphysics Equilibrium of Tropical Convection Derived From Long-Term TRMM Radiance-Based Statistics

Abstract:

Net radiation energy is balanced by vertical transport of latent and sensible heat over the Tropics. This thermal equilibrium is called radiative-convective equilibrium, studied since Manabe and Strickler in 1964. This radiative-convective equilibrium not only creates constant water vapor and temperature structure over tropics, but also creates “microphysics equilibrium” regardless of variability of individual microphysics processes associated with cloud-precipitation dynamics. Here, we summarize 14-year multi-sensor satellite-based statistics to prove microphysics equilibrium over tropics. Statistics are further divided into continental and maritime, and linking to the thermodynamics structure, surface latent/sensible heat flux, and tropospheric aerosol concentrations.