An Observational Study of Entraining Convection using Balloon-Borne Turbulence Probes and High-Power Doppler Radar

Features associated with the upper limit of convection, observed by turbulence probes supported by a tethered kite balloon and by high-power Doppler radar, are described. The observations illustrate the interaction of thermal plumes with the capping inversion (and stable air aloft) and confirm the existence of non-turbulent, intermittently turbulent and fully turbulent layers. Evidence is presented for entrainment processes occurring on scales ranging from a few metres to several hundred metres. Individual distortions of the inversion interface, tracked by the radar, have a lifetime of about 5 minutes. Other, larger scale (i.e., > 1 km) perturbations of the top of the boundary layer were observed over longer periods, and are thought to be due to topographical effects.     

Influence of mesoscale winds on the turbulent structure of the urban boundary layer over St. Louis

Two fair weather afternoons have been examined, where the urban boundary layer over St. Louis, though exhibiting similar thermal characteristics, had a markedly different kinematic structure. The turbulent nature of the boundary layer was examined through analysis of double theodolite wind profiles at an urban and at a rural site on each day. On 14 July 1975, the winds increased with height above the inversion at both sites and on the following day, the winds decreased above the boundary layer in the same region. While the mean wind speed in the lowest 0.8 km agl was similar on both days, the turbulence characteristics of the urban boundary-layer winds were distinctly different on these two afternoons. This was evidenced by the variance of the wind and is in agreement with simultaneous aircraft measurements reported by Hildebrand and Ackerman (1984). A similar difference in turbulence was not found over the rural site. It is suggested that the enhanced turbulence at the urban site on 14 July is likely associated with the wind profile immediately above the boundary layer, where the downward flux of high momentum air from above the inversion may have resulted in stronger mechanical mixing within the boundary layer.     

2013年1月持续性霾天气中影响污染程度的气象条件分析

利用南京本站气象观测记录、环保局监测数据以及NCEP/NCAR再分析资料,分析2013年1月持续性污染天气过程的大气环流背景,并结合南京地区探空资料、风廓线雷达资料以及激光雷达资料,分析这次持续性污染过程中空气质量属良好、轻度污染、中度污染、重度污染典型个例的大气垂直特征和边界层内气象条件的差异。得到如下结论:2013年1月份北方冷空气活动较弱,南京地区大气层结稳定,近地层风速小,污染物气象扩散条件差。加之近地层以弱偏东风为主,水汽较多,有利于污染物颗粒直径增大。大气垂直结构以及边界层内水平风速均对大气污染程度起到一定影响。AQI与逆温层高度存在显著负相关关系;大气污染时,1000 m以下出现逆温结构,且逆温层越低、越厚,污染程度越大;重度污染时,近地层出现贴地逆温层,厚度为700m左右。逆温层高度下降,PM₁₀颗粒物高浓度区高度也明显下降,近地层污染物浓度对垂直方向上污染物浓度正响应的高度降低。在空气质量良好时, 150~1500m存在风速大值区,且风无空,湍流作用明显,有利于污染物和周围的洁净空气相混合而得到稀释,加速污染物的垂直扩散进程。当中度污染日和典型重度污染日时,150~1500 m之间并不存在大风速区。此外, PM₁₀的300μg·m^-3高浓度垂直高度延伸至300 m附近时,近地层PM_2.5明显上升至100μg·m^-3以上,高浓度区数值越大,近地层PM_2.5越大。     

An observational study of entraining convection using balloon-borne turbulence probes and high-power Doppler radar

Features associated with the upper limit of convection, observed by turbulence probes supported by a tethered kite balloon and by high-power Doppler radar, are described. The observations illustrate the interaction of thermal plumes with the capping inversion (and stable air aloft) and confirm the existence of non-turbulent, intermittently turbulent and fully turbulent layers. Evidence is presented for entrainment processes occurring on scales ranging from a few metres to several hundred metres. Individual distortions of the inversion interface, tracked by the radar, have a lifetime of about 5 minutes. Other, larger scale (i.e., > 1 km) perturbations of the top of the boundary layer were observed over longer periods, and are thought to be due to topographical effects.Now at the Meteorological Office, Bracknell, U.K.     

地基微波辐射计探测大气边界层高度方法

采用2013年中国科学院大气物理研究所香河大气综合观测试验站的地基微波辐射计和激光雷达观测数据,以激光雷达探测的大气边界层高度为参考,分别利用非线性神经网络和多元线性回归方法建立微波亮温直接反演大气边界层高度的算法,并对比两种方法的反演能力, 同时分析非线性神经网络算法在不同时段及不同天气状况下反演结果的差异。结果表明:非线性神经网络算法的反演能力优于多元线性回归算法,其反演结果与激光雷达探测的大气边界层高度有较好一致性,冬、春季的相关系数达到0.83,反演精度比线性回归算法约高26%;对于不同时段和不同天气条件,春季的反演结果最好,晴空的反演结果好于云天; 四季和不同天气状况的划分也有利于提高反演精度。     

Formation and Characteristics of Coastal Internal Boundary Layers During Onshore Flows

The development and characteristics of coastal internal boundary layers were investigated in 28 tests. These were made at all seasons and in both gradient and sea-breeze flows but only during mid-day periods. Measurements of turbulence and temperature were taken from a light aircraft which flew traverses across Long Island at successive altitudes parallel to the wind direction. These were used to locate the boundary between modified and unmodified air as a function of height and distance from the coast. The same measurements plus tower measurements of wind, turbulence and temperature, pilot balloon soundings and measurements of land and water surface temperatures by a remote sensing IR thermometer were used to quantify the characteristics of the modified and unmodified air. The boundary layer slope was steep close to the land-water interface and became shallower with downwind distance. Growth of the boundary layer was initially slower with stable lapse rates upwind than with neutral or unstable conditions over the water. An equilibrium height was found in many tests except under conditions of free convection when the internal boundary layer merged into the mixed layer inland and with sea-breeze conditions. The equilibrium height depended on downwind conditions and was greater with low wind speeds and strong land surface heating than with stronger winds and small land-water temperature differences. Current theoretical models are not adequate to predict the height of the boundary layer at the altitudes and distances studied but reasonably good predictions were given by an empirical model developed earlier. Wind speed in the modified air averaged about 70% of that at the coast but turbulence levels were several times higher both near the surface and aloft. These findings have important implications for diffusion from coastal sites.     

Formation and characteristics of coastal internal boundary layers during onshore flows

The development and characteristics of coastal internal boundary layers were investigated in 28 tests. These were made at all seasons and in both gradient and sea-breeze flows but only during mid-day periods. Measurements of turbulence and temperature were taken from a light aircraft which flew traverses across Long Island at successive altitudes parallel to the wind direction. These were used to locate the boundary between modified and unmodified air as a function of height and distance from the coast. The same measurements plus tower measurements of wind, turbulence and temperature, pilot balloon soundings and measurements of land and water surface temperatures by a remote sensing IR thermometer were used to quantify the characteristics of the modified and unmodified air. The boundary layer slope was steep close to the land-water interface and became shallower with downwind distance. Growth of the boundary layer was initially slower with stable lapse rates upwind than with neutral or unstable conditions over the water. An equilibrium height was found in many tests except under conditions of free convection when the internal boundary layer merged into the mixed layer inland and with sea-breeze conditions. The equilibrium height depended on downwind conditions and was greater with low wind speeds and strong land surface heating than with stronger winds and small land-water temperature differences. Current theoretical models are not adequate to predict the height of the boundary layer at the altitudes and distances studied but reasonably good predictions were given by an empirical model developed earlier. Wind speed in the modified air averaged about 70% of that at the coast but turbulence levels were several times higher both near the surface and aloft. These findings have important implications for diffusion from coastal sites.     

Ka波段云雷达晴空回波垂直结构及变化特征

利用2017—2019年中国气象局大气探测试验基地Ka波段云雷达资料,结合地面自动气象站、激光云高仪资料,从强度、速度、线性退极化比以及晴空回波高度等方面,分析晴空回波垂直结构和变化特征。基于激光和微波对粒子半径和数密度散射的差异,区分云和晴空回波。结果表明:Ka波段云雷达探测到的晴空回波在边界层主要包含层状湍流回波和点状昆虫回波,且回波顶高在3000 m以内。晴空回波强度和高度具有明显的季节和日变化特征,冬季回波顶高较低,夏季回波顶高较高,与地面气温具有很好的相关性,每年的1,2,11,12月几乎没有晴空回波,而7月和8月回波顶平均高度最高。晴空回波反射率因子为-40~-15 dBZ,其中层状湍流回波反射率因子概率密度峰值处反射率因子为-35 dBZ,点状昆虫回波反射率因子概率密度峰值处反射率因子为-30 dBZ。晴空回波垂直移动速度为-1.5~+0.5 m·s-1,整体呈下沉运动。层状湍流回波线性退极化比较点状昆虫回波稍大,一般为-10~-5 dB,点状昆虫回波线性退极化比一般为-15~-8 dB。     

A Note on the FM-CW radar as a remote probe of the pacific trade-wind inversion

A vertically pointed FM-CW radar was used to monitor the Pacific Trade-Wind Inversion in the Hawaiian Islands during the summer of 1971. An instrumented aircraft was used forin situ measurements of radio refractivity and temperature. The correspondence between the position of the radar returns and the aircraft data was excellent. The strong returns seen by the radar were due chiefly to the strong lapse of humidity across the inversion.The radar indicated that over the island of Lanai the trade-wind inversion was highly variable both in position and intensity. At times the layer would move from above 2 km to less than 1 km in the space of five minutes associated with strong mechanical turbulence. Its thickness would change rapidly from tens of meters to hundreds of meters. Wave-like structure induced by the mountains on the east side were observed by the radar.Our analysis indicates that interpretation ofin situ aircraft measurements may be greatly aided by using the FM-CW radar as a guide.     

Recent radar measurements of turbulence and microphysical parameters in marine boundary layer clouds

We present a collection of research related to radar measurements of turbulence and microphysical properties in clouds. The radars used in these studies operate at frequencies ranging from 404 MHz to 34.6 GHz. We discuss the relative contributions made by the two primary radar scattering mechanisms to the measured values of radar reflectivity at the different frequencies. The desired turbulence and microphysical information is obtained from the radar reflectivity and other elements of the Doppler velocity spectra. Methods and examples are given with emphasis on liquid water clouds associated with the marine boundary layer.     

Atmospheric thermic structure studied by acoustic echo sounder, boundary layer model, and direct measurements

In this work, the thermic structure of the atmospheric boundary layer is analyzed by means of direct measurements with radiosonde equipment, remote exploration with a three-monostatic Doppler sodar, and a boundary layer model of order one-and-a-half. Intercomparisons of radiosonde data, sodar data, and model results are made through the study of radiative nocturnal inversion, subsidence inversion, development and height of the mixing layer, and calculus of the temperature structure parameter. The ability of sodar to find the mixing layer height and to detect stable layers is enhanced when these layers are low enough.     

北京地区一次强沙尘暴过程的大气边界层结构和湍流通量输送特征

利用中国科学院大气物理研究所北京325 m气象塔的风速和温度平均场观测资料和湍流资料,以及北京市气象台地面常规气象资料和逐日08:00和20:00(北京时间)的探空资料,分析了2002年3月18～22日沙尘暴过境前后北京城市边界层结构特征和湍流输送特征,结果表明:1)在沙尘暴爆发前,边界层中水平风速一直较小;气温较高,大气层结稳定,在边界层上部有强大的逆温层.随着冷锋过境,沙尘暴爆发,边界层中水平风速和平均湍流速度急剧增强;温度也突然变化,先迅速增强后又持续下降,逆温层迅速被破坏.2)沙尘暴初期,280 m上为系统性上升气流,而47和120 m则为系统性的下沉气流.随着沙尘暴爆发,湍流动能、向下传输的动量以及向上传输的感热也迅速增大,并且120 m高度的湍能、动量通量以及感热通量明显高于47和280 m,这与北京的局地环流有关.3)本次沙尘暴过程中,120和47 m层的摩擦速度都明显超过了北京的临界摩擦速度,表明局地起沙也是本次沙尘暴过程中北京沙尘的一个重要沙源.     

Characteristics of intermittent turbulence in the upper stable boundary layer over Greenland

The experiment IGLOS (Investigation of the Greenland Boundary Layer Over Summit) was conducted in June and July 2002 in the central plateau of the Greenland inland ice. The German research aircraft Polar2, equipped with the turbulence measurement system Meteopod, was used to investigate turbulence and radiation flux profiles near research station “Summit Camp”. Aircraft measurements are combined with measurements of radiation fluxes and turbulent quantities made from a 50 m tower at Summit Camp operated by Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich. During all six flight missions, well-developed stable boundary layers were found. Even in high-wind conditions, the surface inversion thickness did not exceed roughly 100 m. The turbulent height of the stable boundary layer (SBL) was found to be much smaller than the surface inversion thickness. Above the surface layer, significant turbulent fluxes occurred only intermittently in intervals on the order of a few kilometres. Turbulent event fraction in the upper SBL shows the same dependence on gradient Richardson number as reported for near-surface measurements. Clear-air longwave radiation divergence was always found to contribute significantly to the SBL heat budget. In low-wind cases, radiative cooling even turned out to be dominant.     

Helicopter-Borne Flux Measurements in the Nocturnal Boundary Layer Over Land – a Case Study

This case study introduces measurements of turbulent fluxes in a nocturnal boundary layer in North Germany with the new helicopter-borne turbulence measurement system HELIPOD, a detailed data analysis and examination in regard of systematic errors of the instrument, and some comparison with local similarity theory and experiments of the past, in order to confirm the occurrence of small vertical turbulent fluxes. The examined nocturnal boundary layer offered excellent conditions to analyse the quality of the measurement system. In this connection, a detailed look at a strong ground-based inversion disclosed small turbulent fluxes with a spectral maximum at ten metres wavelength or less, embedded in intermittent turbulence. For verification of these fluxes, the measurements were compared with well established results from past experiments. Local similarity theory was applied to calculate dimensionless variances of the turbulent quantities, which were found in good agreement with other observations. Since shear and stratification varied significantly on the horizontal flight legs due to global intermittency, a method was developed to determine vertical gradients on a horizontal flight pattern, by use of small fluctuations of the measurement height. With these locally determined gradients, gradient transport theory became applicable and the turbulent diffusivities for heat and momentum, the Richardson number, and the flux Richardson number were estimated within isolated strong turbulent outbursts. Within these outbursts the flux Richardson number was found between 0.1 and 0.2. The functional relationship between the gradient Richardson number and the turbulent Prandtl number agreed well with observations in past experiments and large eddy simulation. The impact of the stratification on the vertical turbulent exchange, as already described for the surface layer using Monin–Obukhov similarity, was analogously observed in the very stably stratified bulk flow when local scaling was applied.     

Wavy Vertical Motions in the ABL Observed by Sodar

Some characteristics of wavelike motions in the atmospheric boundary layer observed by sodar are considered. In an experiment carried out in February 1993 in Milan, Italy, Doppler sodar measurements were accompanied by in situ measurements of temperature and wind velocity vertical profiles using a tethered balloon up to 600 m. The oscillations of elevated wavy layers containing intense thermal turbulence, usually associated with temperature-inversion zones, were studied by using correlation and spectral analysis methods. The statistics of the occurrence of wavelike and temperature-inversion events are presented. The height distributions of Brunt–Vaisala frequency and wind shear and their correlation within elevated inversion layers were determined, with a strong correlation observed between the drift rate of the wavy layers and the vertical velocity measured by Doppler sodar inside these layers. Spectral analysis showed similarities regarding their frequency characteristics. The phase speed and propagation direction of waves were estimated from the time delay of the signals at three antennae to provide estimates of wavelength. Moreover, wavelengths were estimated from the intrinsic frequency obtained from sodar measurements of the Doppler vertical velocity and oscillations of wavy turbulent layers. The two wavelength estimates are in good agreement.     

2004年北京地区秋季大气气溶胶粒子分布特征

2004年秋季在北京地区利用机载大气气溶胶粒子探头进行了大气气溶胶观测,获得了0～7 km气溶胶细粒子数浓度和尺度谱分布的垂直、水平变化特征.结果表明:北京地区上空气溶胶粒子数浓度在1 km左右高度以下的混合层内有均匀的分布,明显递减层的高度范围约在1～2 km之间,2 km以上随高度递减很小,高层气溶胶数浓度变化不大...     

风廓线雷达对塔克拉玛干沙漠晴天边界层的探测分析

利用塔克拉玛干沙漠大气环境观测试验站2010年8和10月边界层风廓线雷达资料,分析了沙漠晴天边界层湍流、大气温度、水平风速风向以及垂直速度的发展演变特征和日变化规律。研究表明：（1）大气折射率结构常数（C_n~2）能较好地反映晴空湍流对电磁波的后向散射能力,可以详细刻画湍流发展旺盛区域的高度、强度及其演变特征;沙漠夏季白天湍流发展剧烈,旺盛区域顶部可达4000 m高度左右。（2）RASS系统对沙漠边界层大气温度的探测具有较好的可信度,其近地边界层温度符合一般的日变化规律,昼夜温差显著,白天高温维持时间长,升温过程相对滞后于近地表气温。（3）风廓线雷达对大气风场的探测结果与地面风速风向一致,沙漠晴天主要受东风和东北风控制,风速较小,平均在2.0～6.0 m·s~（-1）范围变化。（4）沙漠腹地大气垂直速度变化符合静力平衡理论,铅直方向运动很弱,一般在-1.0～1.0 m·s~（-1）范围波动。     

Observations of turbulent boundary-layer interaction with a thunderstorm outflow — A possible wake region energy source

Laboratory and numerical model simulations of turbulent circulations within the wake regions of thunderstorm outflows have been done with the assumption that there is no turbulence within the ambient airmass. Furthermore, many observational studies have used Doppler radar data that have been filtered so that turbulent structures are reduced in amplitude or eliminated altogether. This study presents unique Doppler radar observations of the collision of a roll-like boundary-layer circulation with a gust flow. The boundary-layer circulation is seen to interact with the circulation within the gust flow head and to reappear within the wake region. It is suggested that the ambient boundary layer may be an energy source for the generation and/or maintenance of turbulence in the wake region.     

Statistics of shallow convection on Mars based on large-eddy simulations. Part 1: shearless conditions

Results of large-eddy simulations of shallow, quasi-steady, shear-less convection in the Martian boundary layer are presented and discussed. In the considered three cases, turbulence is forced by the radiative flux divergence, prescribed as given functions of height, and the strength of the surface heat flux. It is constrained by the temperature inversion at the boundary-layer top. The resulting convective boundary layer exhibits horizontal cellular structures. The presence of radiative heating causes dimensionless statistics of turbulence to depend on the parameter F, defined in terms of the integrated radiative and turbulent heating rates in the boundary layer.     

Turbulence structure in temperature inversions and in convection fields as observed by doppler sodar

The structure of turbulence in an inversion layer and in an homogeneous convective field of the planetary boundary layer is described. In the first part of the paper, we validate the sodar estimates of turbulent dissipation, by using measurements with an hot-wire anemometric system in situ. Limitations of an ε measurement technique using structure function calculations are given, taking account of atmospheric properties and acoustic Doppler instrumental effects. By comparison between isopleths of backscattering intensity and of turbulent dissipation rates, we observe that in the early morning, turbulence is advected by mechanical turbulence generated by wind shear. The same mechanism seems to be operating in the case of an inversion layer capping thermal instability, when the convective activity is not too greatly developed. A turbulent kinetic energy budget is examined using aircraft, sodar, and tower measurements. This indicates a constant turbulent dissipation profile through a deep convective layer.