Kontur: Observations of cloud streets and open cellular structures

In September and October 1981 the experiment KonTur (Convection and turbulence) was conducted over the North Sea. Its objectives were to investigate organized convective patterns, like cloud streets (boundary layer rolls) and cellular cloud structures. Two aircraft (British Hercules C-130 and German Falcon 20) performed detailed measurements within these patterns. Several cases of cloud streets and open cells were observed.Boundary layer rolls appear to be connected with an inflection point in the cross-roll wind component. The aspect ratio of the rolls (wavelength versus depth) is between three and four in accordance with other observations and linear stability analysis. Four scales of motion are involved: the mean flow, the roll circulation, individual clouds and turbulence. The vertical transport are dominated at lower levels by turbulence and at higher levels by roll-scale motions.Open cellular cloud structures are connected with large air-sea temperature differences due to cold air outbreaks from the northwest. The aspect ratio of the cells is of the order of 10. The bulk contribution to the total transport of heat and momentum originates from the cloudy walls of the cells. A vertical cross section through a composite open cell is presented.