Large deviation analysis of rapid onset of rain showers

ORAL

Abstract

Rainfall from ice-free cumulus clouds requires collisions
of large numbers of microscopic droplets to create every raindrop.
The onset of rain showers can be surprisingly rapid, much faster than the mean time
required for a single collision. Large-deviation theory is used to explain
this observation.

The presentation is based upon a recent paper: Phys. Rev. Lett., 116, 018501 (2016).

Presenters

  • Michael Wilkinson

    Mathematics and Statistics, Open University, Open Univ

Authors

  • Michael Wilkinson

    Mathematics and Statistics, Open University, Open Univ