Mesoscale cellular convection over the oceans

Abstract A review of the understanding and progress in the study of mesoscale cellular convection (MCC) in cloud-topped marine boundary layers is provided. A comparison is made between MCC and the classical study of Benard-Rayleigh convection, with noted similarities and differences. External physical forcing mechanisms in the atmosphere are identified and discussed, in view of their effect on convection development and structure. Onset, horizontal planform, circulation direction, aspect radio and scaling phenomena are explained in terms of atmospheric processes. The global climatology of MCC is also updated and briefly discussed in terms of GCM model development.

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