Continuum Model of Faceted Ice Crystal Growth in Cirrus Clouds in 1 Dimension

Ice crystals in cirrus clouds exhibit stable faceted growth and roughening which affects reflectivity. A numerically stable modelling system of partial differential equations representing the thickness of ice surfaces over time may assist in describing these features. A sinusoidal relationship between total thickness and water vapor deposition on the surface of ice crystals was observed experimentally; the modelling equation for this relationship was applied to the system in order to develop a one variable model. The developed one variable models continue to exhibit numerical instabilities prior to a Fourier Transform. Stable limit cycles of ice growth were observed in the two variable model