Cellular Cloud Structure

[jack.h...@gmail.com]

I see this regularly on satpics over the sea where the surface temperature won't have the local variations it does over land.  Moreover of course, there is no 'topography over the sea.

The outside (rings) of the cells are where there is cloud, presumably where the air is/has been rising.  The clear holes must be where it is descending

Cellular structure  is a fact.  But I'm not too sure why.

[Graham Easterling]

I can't really answer your question, except of course that the 'warm' sea can generate quite strong convection at this time of year, and the temperature of the sea surface can very quite a bit, certainly 2C or so over short distances for a variety of reasons. I suspect the convection then results in a pattern of cells which can fit together neatly.

 I am sometimes surprised by the Cu & Cb development over the sea in summer, when there is little over the warmer land.

Distant castellanus over the sea. The heat generated by condensation must keep them growing

Summer Cb off Lands End.

Graham

Penzance

[jack.h...@gmail.com]

The cells are not circular but seem to pentagonal.  Or are they in fact hexagonal?

Maybe there are some parallels with hexagonal patterns of, e.g. drying mud.  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexagon

Jack

[Graham Easterling]

I think there is, hexagonal structures are preferred because they fir together without wasted space.

Graham

Penzance

[Len]

The convection is topped by an inversion. If not, then it is not contained and the cellular pattern disappears.

North Sea temperatures 8 or  9C. Air temperatures 1 or 2C.

Len