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The convection scheme does not predict individual convective clouds, but only their physical effect on the surrounding atmosphere in terms of latent heat release, precipitation and the associated transport of moisture and momentum.  The scheme differentiates between deep, shallow and mid-level convection but only one type of convection can occur at any given grid point at any one time.  Super-cooled liquid water is held by the convection scheme and even at colder temperatures (down to -38C) aids the development of convective precipitation.    Convective precipitation produced by IFS is in the form of convective rain or convective snow.  Hail is not forecast.

The effects of the model convection (changes to the temperature or humidity) drift downwind with model winds.   However, any convective precipitation that is developed by the model is considered to remain within the grid box column and fall vertically downwards instantaneously (i.e. taking zero time to reach the surface).   Thus

Thus, model showers are not advected with the wind during their life-cycle.  In particular, any showers that the model develops over the sea do not penetrate beyond the coast.

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The parameters are physical quantities with a direct physical interpretation, which set them apart from Instability indices that only relate to the physics of convection in an indirect way.  

Convective Available Potential Energy parameters:

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