The upper tropospheric tropical jet structure is quite sensitive to ice-particle size. Consistent ice properties must be included in both the solar and infrared spectral regions. If these properties are included only in the solar region, the thermal and dynamic response of the tropics is significantly different than if the affects are included in both spectral regions. These optical properties have also now been included in the resolved convection model being used to study convective systems. The importance of day-night differences in convective activity has been explored.
Preliminary results suggest a strong diurnal effect.
Nighttime conditions seem to promote more convective activity and deeper penetration by that activity. The nighttime and daytime runs employed the same surface temperature. All rights reserved.