Simulation of coastal circulation in the eastern Mediterranean using a spectral microphysics cloud ensemble model

Abstract

The interaction of the cold season land breeze with the background flow and its influence on the climatic distribution of convective precipitation is studied using a 2D nonhydrostatic cloud ensemble model with the spectral approach in the description of cloud microphysics. The background wind substantially influences both the amount and distribution of precipitation. It determines the width of the zone of convective activity and its location relative to the seashore. It is also shown that latent heat release greatly increases both the intensity of thermally induced circulation and its vertical and horizontal spreading. It is indicated that deep convection triggered by the boundary layer circulation not only increases the intensity of breeze circulation but changes the thermodynamic structure.