entrainment The process by which air from the environment outside a growing cloud is caught into the rising convective current within the cloud and mixed with the cloudy air. This is significant in that it reduces the buoyancy of the rising current and causes cloud growth by reason of the cooler, drier air which is introduced. This also causes some evaporation of cloud droplets. When very dry air is introduced, entrainment can produce rapid dissipation of the cloud.

entrainment Process by which air from the environment outside a growing cloud is caught into the rising convective current within the cloud and mixed with the cloudy air. This is significant in that it reduces the buoyancy of the rising current and causes cloud growth by reason of the cooler, drier air which is introduced. This also causes some evaporation of cloud droplets. When very dry air is introduced, entrainment can produce rapid dissipation of the cloud.