Summary and quiz
The atmospheric process mentioned above accounts for many cases where DMC initiates near tropospheric moisture gradients visible in WV 6.2 µm satellite imagery. DMC will not occur in a dry troposphere, where moisture supply is missing. Dark stripes in WV images are often an indication of sinking air masses and hence they put a cap on convection.
Vice versa, when tropospheric moisture content is too high, the long-wave IR radiation heats up the troposphere and constrains convection. Less solar energy reaches the ground. At WV boundaries, the required ingredients for an early onset of DMC are present.
Question
Which of the following factors are necessary for convective initiation at WV boundaries?
The correct answers are a), c) and f).