Studying the Effect of Convective Downdrafts on MCS Anvil

Convective downdrafts are common in the middle and upper troposphere especially in the Tropics. They can increase the ice crystal concentration (ICC) in the mixed-phase region greatly. Cloud-resolving model (CRM) simulations and radar/satellite observations show that the high ICC in the mixed-phase region can bring about reasonable MCS (mesoscale convective system) anvil simulations. In this study, we analyze the aircraft observations of convective downdrafts and the effect of downdrafts on ICC, showing how convective downdrafts impact MCS anvil.