Clouds and entrainment

Abstract

The concept of entrainment is discussed, and the knowledge that has been acquired about entraining turbulence in clear air is surveyed. Attention is then given to observations and models of stratocumulus entrainment, which show some of the ways in which cloudiness modifies the entrainment process. Entraining cumuli are also considered, with some of the differences between cumulus entrainment and stratocumulus entrainment noted. Emphasis is placed on the dynamical aspects of entrainment; its effects on droplet spectra and other microphysical aspects are mentioned only briefly.