Impact of extensive irrigation on the formation of cumulus clouds

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Abstract
Irrigated farmland in an arid region creates a prominent heat contrast along its boundary. A statistical analysis of satellite images indicated that the frequency distribution of clouds has a clear contrast between the Hetao Irrigation District in China and the surrounding dry area in the summer. In this paper, we use a mesoscale model to clarify the impact of the extensive irrigation on the cloud formation. The numerical experiment assuming simplified irrigation indicates that the colder surface of the irrigated area induces a surface wind toward the dry area, where the surface temperature is higher. This wind is a part of a land‐use‐induced circulation. The circulation matures in the early afternoon and generates clouds near the border of the dry area and irrigated area.

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