Hydrostatic vs Non-hydrostatic Models ยป Example of Non-hydrostatic Process
Shown here is an example where a nonhydrostatic model is required to capture the important dynamics and physics. Wind shear within the storm environment gives rise to perturbation pressures within the thunderstorm cell, producing ascent and descent as shown by the green arrows. These perturbation pressure induced circulations give rise to storm splitting.
Question
Match the schematics of various physical processes that occur in the the atmosphere to the appropriate term from the nonhydrostatic vertical momentum equation. Select I, II, III, or IV from the pull-down menu for each schematic.
A shows the internal dynamical pressure gradients within a supercell thunderstorm, where dynamical pressure gradients can produce enhanced updrafts. B shows orographic uplift, involving the vertical advection of vertical gradients of w. Finally, C shows precipitation descending out of the bottom of a thunderstorm, where drag on the air below by the precipitation occurs.