Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
ACP
Articles | Volume 26, issue 14
Articles | Volume 26, issue 14
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10509-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-10509-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 26, issue 14
Research article
 | 
28 Jul 2026
Research article |  | 28 Jul 2026

Diurnal cycle of stratocumulus mesoscale convective cells in the South-East Pacific

Emma Monnier, Florent Brient, and Jean-Louis Dufresne

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Stratocumulus clouds over the ocean form large cellular patterns whose physics and dynamics remains poorly understood but reflects boundary layer circulation. Using five years of geostationary satellite data, we show these patterns follow a diurnal cycle in the South-East Pacific, growing in the morning, decaying in the afternoon, and stabilizing at night. Despite changes in cell size, their proportion relative to boundary layer depth stays stable, suggesting a fundamental organizing mechanism.
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