Fractional Cloudiness and Cloud-Top Entrainment Instability

Abstract

Temperature and moisture profiles from soundings obtained over the central Atlantic during the Atlantic Trade-Wind Experiment were used to determine if cloud-top entrainment instability can explain observed variations in cloudiness. Differences in temperature and moisture across the trade inversion associated with fractional cloudiness near 100% were nearly the same as those associated with less than 25% cloud cover. NO correlation between fractional cloudiness and boundary layer mixing-line slopes was found.