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Leading and Trailing Anvil Clouds of West African Squall LinesThe anvil clouds of tropical squall-line systems over West Africa have been examined using cloud radar data and divided into those that appear ahead of the leading convective line and those on the trailing side of the system. The leading anvils are generally higher in altitude than the trailing anvil, likely because the hydrometeors in the leading anvil are directly connected to the convective updraft, while the trailing anvil generally extends out of the lower-topped stratiform precipitation region. When the anvils are subdivided into thick, medium, and thin portions, the thick leading anvil is seen to have systematically higher reflectivity than the thick trailing anvil, suggesting that the leading anvil contains numerous larger ice particles owing to its direct connection to the convective region. As the leading anvil ages and thins, it retains its top. The leading anvil appears to add hydrometeors at the highest altitudes, while the trailing anvil is able to moisten a deep layer of the atmosphere.
Document ID
20110020275
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Centrone, Jasmine
(Washington Univ. Seattle, WA, United States)
Houze, Robert A.
(Washington Univ. Seattle, WA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 2011
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Volume: 68
Issue: 5
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX07AQ89G
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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