Well-Mixed Boundary Layer–Top Entrainment Instability: Hydrodynamic Analysis

Abstract The present study shows by a linear hydrodynamic stability analysis that an unstable mixed-layer deep circulation can be generated in the dry convective well-mixed layer entrainment from top. newly identified instability arises under two competing processes induced top entrainment: destabilization generating thermal perturbations and damping mechanical mixing. former latter, respectively, dominate over other limits of large small scales. As result, is realized at horizontal scales larger than order depth (ca. 1 km), time scale for growth about day. This has been motivated question whether cloud-top (CTEI) induce transition stratocumulus-topped boundary into trade cumulus. intends to extend previous studies based on local parcel analyses full hydrodynamics. Unfortunately, being formulation, result does not apply directly CTEI problem. Especially, evaporative cooling totally neglected. Nevertheless, still applied moist systems, some extent, redefining certain terms formulation.