NUMERICAL MODELING OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE AEROSOL COMPOSITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE ON THE FORMATION OF MACRO- AND MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CONVECTIVE CLOUDS

Abstract

Currently, the physics of clouds and active impacts on them is gradually moving from the
stage of studying "elementary" cloud processes to the stage of studying clouds as a whole, taking
into account their systemic properties. One of the directions of research at this stage is the study of
the role of the system properties of clouds in the formation of their macro- and microstructural
characteristics. These properties are the main factors influencing the formation of the cloud structure.
The article presents some results of research on the role of one of these properties of clouds,
namely the interaction of clouds with their surrounding atmosphere (the property of the hierarchy
of systems). The mechanism caused by the aerosol composition of the atmosphere is considered as
a method of their interaction. The research methodology is based on the assumption that the intensity
of crystal formation in clouds is influenced by the content of aerosol particles of sufficient
concentration in the atmosphere with ice-forming properties (sublimation nuclei). A threedimensional unsteady model of convective clouds was used for calculations. The intensity of crystal
formation in the cloud was changed by varying the value of the parameter in the expression for
the crystal source in the model equations for the cloud environment. The paper also discusses the
current state of the problem of active impacts on convective clouds in order to control precipitation
processes. In order to carry out successful active exposure, it is necessary to determine the
local area in the cloud in which conditions are favorable for exposure and the concentration of
reagent particles that should be provided in this area at any given time. Model calculations
showed that a slight increase in the content of aerosol particles in the atmosphere led to an increase
in the values of maximum ice content and total water content, as well as ice content, while
simultaneously reducing the maximum water content in the cloud. At the same time, its macrostructural
characteristics have practically not changed. Further solving the problems requires the
development of effective methodologies for modeling active exposure to convective clouds.