Convective cloud processes are sensitive to environmental conditions that vary on scales smaller than reanalysis datasets (sub-reanalysis scales). Convective environment variability within areas representative of reanalysis datasets is quantified using large-domain, high-resolution (∆x = 100 m) simulations of convective cloud systems throughout the tropics and subtropics. Even after removing locations of resolved clouds and precipitation, convective environment parameters vary significantly on these scales. For example, for half of the simulated data, 500 hPa relative humidity varied by ~30% within a typical reanalysis area. Surface winds, convective available potential energy, and middle-tropospheric moisture are the most variable convective environment parameters for both continental and maritime regimes, while above-surface temperature and winds are the least variable. While high-resolution, sub-reanalysis-scale extrema are well-correlated with the reanalysis-area mean values, some of the most extreme convective environments can occur within regions with moderate reanalysis-area mean values, particularly for continental regions.

Cold pools formed by precipitating convective clouds are an important source of mesoscale temperature variability. However, their sub-mesoscale (100 m to 10 km) structure has not been studied, which impedes validation of numerical models and understanding of their atmospheric and societal impacts. We quantify temperature variability in observed and simulated cold pools using variograms calculated from dense network observations collected during a field experiment and in high-resolution case study and idealized simulations. The temperature variance in cold pools is enhanced for spatial scales between ~5-15 km compared to pre-cold pool conditions, but the magnitude varies strongly with cold pool evolution and environment. Simulations capture the overall cold pool variogram shape well but underestimate the magnitude of the variability, irrespective of model resolution. Temperature variograms outside of cold pool periods are represented by the range of simulations evaluated here, suggesting that models misrepresent cold pool formation and/or dissipation processes.