Transient Aggregation of Convection: Observed Behavior and Underlying Processes

Abstract Convective self-aggregation is among the most striking features emerging from radiative–convective equilibrium simulations, but its relevance to convective disturbances observed in real atmosphere remains under debate. This work seeks observational signals of aggregation intrinsic life cycle cloud clusters. To this end, composite time series Simple Aggregation Index (SCAI), a metric aggregation, and other variables satellite measurements are constructed around temporal maxima precipitation. All parameters analyzed large-scale means over 10° × domains. The evolution for heavy precipitation regimes shows that clusters gathered into fewer members during period ±12 h as picks up. high-cloud cover per cluster expands number drops, suggesting transient occurrence aggregation. sign less evident or entirely absent light regimes. An energy budget analysis performed search physical processes underlying column moist static (MSE) accumulates before peak dissipates after, accounted primarily by horizontal MSE advection. domain-averaged radiative cooling greater more aggregated than one, although role feedback behind unclear.