Using A-Train Observations to Study Cloud Processes in Frontal Regions

Fronts and their associated clouds and precipitation play a significant role in the Earth's hydrologic cycle and energy balance. While the large (synoptic) scale dynamics are well understood, many questions remain as to the details of mesoscale frontal moist processes and their influence on storm structure and environment. Our recent work has examined the sensitivity of frontal clouds and precipitation to changes in cloud microphysical processes, and indicates that the spatial distribution and timing of latent heat release is as important as the magnitude of the heating. In this presentation, we show results from composite analysis, case studies and numerical modeling that demonstrate the range of complexity of frontal moist processes, and demonstrate the utility of a combined model and observational analysis for the analysis of mesoscale cloud structure.