Impact of Tropopause Structure on Supercell Transport

A three-dimensional cloud-resolving model is used to simulate the transport of boundary layer tracers into the lower stratosphere via midlatitude supercells. Supercells provide an efficient method of transportation for boundary layer tracers to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) region. However, the impact of tropopause variability on convective transport in the UTLS is not fully understood. This study analyzes two cases using an idealized cloud-resolving model: a double tropopause case and a control (or single tropopause) case. 10-hour simulations of identical supercells were conducted for each case to cover the growth and decay cycles of the storms. Preliminary results show more irreversible transport in the double tropopause case. Gravity wave signatures also vary above the storms although the updrafts below the tropopause have near equal magnitudes.