The different influence of the residual layer on the development of the summer convective boundary layer in two deserts in northwest China

The development of the atmospheric boundary layer is closely connected with the exchange of momentum, heat, and mass near the Earth’s surface, especially for a convective boundary layer (CBL). Besides being modulated by the buoyancy flux near the Earth’s surface, some studies point out that a neutrally stratified residual layer is also crucial for the appearance of a deep CBL. To verify the importance of the residual layer, the CBLs over two deserts in northwest China (Badan Jaran and Taklimakan) were investigated. The summer CBL mean depth over the Taklimakan Desert is shallower than that over the Badan Jaran Desert, even when the sensible heat flux of the former is stronger. Meanwhile, the climatological mean residual layer in the Badan Jaran Desert is much deeper and neutrally stratified in summer. Moreover, we found a significant and negative correlation between the lapse rate of the residual layer and the CBL depth over the Badan Jaran Desert. The different lapse rates of the residual layer in the two regions are partly connected with the advection heating from large-scale atmospheric circulation. The advection heating tends to reduce the temperature difference in the 700 to 500-hPa layer over the Badan Jaran Desert, and it increases the stability in the same atmospheric layer over the Taklimakan Desert. The advection due to climatological mean atmospheric circulation is more effective at modulating the lapse rate of the residual layer than from varied circulation. Also, the interannual variation of planetary boundary layer (PBL) height over two deserts was found to covary with the wave train.     

A Study of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Structure During a Clear Day in the Arid Region of Northwest China

The local climate and atmospheric circulation pattern exert a clear influence on the atmospheric boundary layer （ABL） formation and development in Northwest China. In this paper, we use field observational data to analyze the distribution and characteristics of the ABL in the extremely arid desert in Dunhuang, Northwest China. These data show that the daytime convective boundary layer and night time stable boundary layer in this area extend to higher altitudes than in other areas. In the night time, the stable boundary layer exceeds 900 m in altitude and can sometimes peak at 1750 m, above which the residual layer may reach up to about 4000 m. The daytime convective boundary layer develops rapidly after entering the residual layer, and exceeds 4000 m in thickness. The results show that the deep convective boundary layer in the daytime is a pre-requisite for maintaining the deep residual mixed layer in the night time. Meanwhile, the deep residual mixed layer in the night time provides favorable thermal conditions for the development of the convective boundary layer in the daytime. The prolonged periods of clear weather that often occurs in this area allow the cumulative effect of the atmospheric residual layer to develop fully, which creates thermal conditions beneficial for the growth of the daytime convective boundary layer. At the same time, the land surface process and atmospheric motion within the surface layer in this area also provide helpful support for forming the particular structure of the thermal ABL. High surface temperature is clearly the powerful external thermal forcing for the deep convective boundary layer. Strong sensible heat flux in the surface layer provides the required energy. Highly convective atmosphere and strong turbulence provide the necessary dynamic conditions, and the accumulative effect of the residual layer provides a favorable thermal environment.     

Role of horizontal density advection in seasonal deepening of the mixed layer in the subtropical Southeast Pacific

The mechanisms behind the seasonal deepening of the mixed layer(ML) in the subtropical Southeast Pacific were investigated using the monthly Argo data from 2004 to 2012. The region with a deep ML(more than 175 m) was found in the region of(22?–30?S, 105?–90?W), reaching its maximum depth(～200 m) near(27?–28?S, 100?W) in September. The relative importance of horizontal density advection in determining the maximum ML location is discussed qualitatively. Downward Ekman pumping is key to determining the eastern boundary of the deep ML region. In addition, zonal density advection by the subtropical countercurrent(STCC) in the subtropical Southwest Pacific determines its western boundary, by carrying lighter water to strengthen the stratification and form a "shallow tongue" of ML depth to block the westward extension of the deep ML in the STCC region. The temperature advection by the STCC is the main source for large heat loss from the subtropical Southwest Pacific. Finally, the combined effect of net surface heat flux and meridional density advection by the subtropical gyre determines the northern and southern boundaries of the deep ML region: the ocean heat loss at the surface gradually increases from 22?S to 35?S, while the meridional density advection by the subtropical gyre strengthens the stratification south of the maximum ML depth and weakens the stratification to the north. The freshwater flux contribution to deepening the ML during austral winter is limited. The results are useful for understanding the role of ocean dynamics in the ML formation in the subtropical Southeast Pacific.     

Deduction of the Sensible Heat Flux from SODAR Data

A new method for deduction of the sensible heat flux is validated with three sets of published SODAR （sound detection and ranging） data. Although the related expressions have previously been confirmed by the author with surface layer data, they have not yet been validated with observations from the boundary layer before this work. In the study, selected SODAR data are used to test the method for the convective boundary layer. The sensible heat flux （SHF） retrieved from SODAR data is found to decrease linearly with height in the mixed layer. The surface sensible heat fluxes derived from the deduced sensible heat flux profiles under convective conditions agree well with those measured by the eddy correlation method. The characteristics of SHF profiles deduced from SODAR data in different places reflect the background meteorology and terrain. The upper part of the SHF profile （SHFP） for a complicated terrain is found to have a different slope from the lower part. It is suggested that the former reflects the advective characteristic of turbulence in upwind topography. A similarity relationship for the estimation of SHFP in a well mixed layer with surface SHF and zero-heat-flux layer height is presented.     

Large-eddy simulations of thermally forced circulations in the convective boundary layer. Part II: The effect of changes in wavelength and wind speed

This paper extends previous large-eddy simulations of the convective boundary layer over a surface with a spatially varying sensible heat flux. The heat flux variations are sinusoidal and one-dimensional. The wavelength is 1500 or 4500 m (corresponding to 1.3 and 3.8 times the boundary-layer depth, respectively) and the wind speed is 0, 1 or 2 m s^-1.In every case the heat flux variation drives a mean circulation. As expected, with zero wind there is ascent over the heat flux maxima. The strength of the circulation increases substantially with an increase in the wavelength of the perturbation. A light wind weakens the circulation drastically and moves it downwind. The circulation has a significant effect on the average concentration field from a simulated, elevated source.The heat flux variation modulates turbulence in the boundary layer. Turbulence is stronger (in several senses) above or downwind of the heat flux maxima than it is above or downwind of the heat flux minima. The effect remains significant even when the mean circulation is very weak. There are effects too on profiles of horizontal-average turbulence statistics. In most cases the effects would be undetectable in the atmosphere.We consider how the surface heat flux variations penetrate into the lower and middle boundary layer and propose that to a first approximation the process resembles passive scalar diffusion.The research reported in this paper was conducted while the first author was on study leave at Colorado State University.     

塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地晴天与沙尘暴天气大气边界层对比分析

根据2017、2019年7月塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地GPS探空和地面观测数据,利用位温廓线法等方法,对比分析了沙漠腹地夏季晴天和沙尘暴天气大气边界层结构变化特征。结果表明：晴天和沙尘暴天气大气边界层结构特征显著不同。晴天大气边界层各气象要素垂直分布较为均一,白天对流边界层深厚,高度接近5 km,夜间稳定边界层一般在500 m左右。沙尘暴天气边界层内位温和比湿垂直变化较小,风速较大,可达24.0 m/s,其白天对流边界层在1.5 km左右,夜间稳定边界层在1 km左右。晴天辐射强烈,地表升温迅速,湍流旺盛,是形成晴天深厚对流边界层的主要因素。大尺度天气系统冷平流的动力条件,以及云和沙尘减弱了到达地表的辐射强度是形成沙尘暴天气独特的大气边界层结构的主要因素。     

Aircraft Observations Of The Mean And Turbulent Structure Of A Shallow Boundary Layer Over The Persian Gulf

Stable internal boundary layers form when warm air isadvected over a cooler surface, a common occurrence incoastal areas. The internal boundary layer deepenswith distance along-wind, eventually reachingequilibrium with the surface and becoming a fullydeveloped marine boundary layer. We presentobservations of the late stages of internalboundary-layer evolution made bythe U.K. Meteorological Office'sC-130 Hercules research aircraft over the Persian Gulfin April 1996. Northwesterly winds brought warm dryair from the surrounding desert landmass across thecooler waters of the Gulf. Loss of heat to the surfaceresulted in the formation of a shallow, stableinternal boundary layer downwind of the coast. The aircraftmeasurements were made several hundred kilometresdownwind, by which point the original deep convectiveboundary layer had been eroded away and the internalboundary layer was well developed, effectively a newmarine atmospheric boundary layer. Throughout most ofits depth the boundary layer was statically stable anda downward heat flux of approximately 15 W m^-2was observed; however, an exceptionally strong latentheat flux, in excess of 250 W m^-2 near thesurface, was sufficient to overcome the downwards heatflux and maintain weak buoyant convection in the lower30–50% of the boundary layer.Scaling of boundary-layer turbulence statistics usinglocal similarity theory produces results in agreementwith previous studies. Because of the strong humiditycontribution to the buoyancy flux, however, care isrequired with the definition of the similarity scales.It is usual for either the sensible heat or buoyancyflux to be used in the definitions of both thetemperature and length scales; the latter being usedover water where humidity plays a significant role indetermining stability. In the present case we findthat while the buoyancy flux is appropriate in thedefinition of the length scale, the temperature scalemust be defined in terms of the sensible heat flux.     

Estimating surface sensible heat flux using sodar and surface temperature measurements in the evolving convective boundary layer

A simple method is described for estimating the sensible heat flux by using a Doppler sodar system and a thermal probe. This method, which can be applied to a convective boundary layer in morning hours, is based on knowing the zero heat flux level from the reflectivity and the vertical wind speed.     

西北干旱区夏季大气边界层结构及其陆面过程特征

在中国西北干旱区影响大气边界层形成和发展的气候环境和大气环流背景都具有一定特殊性.文中用外场观测试验资料,分析了位于西北干旱区的敦煌荒漠夏季大气边界层气象要素结构特征,发现该地区无论白天的对流边界层还是夜间的稳定边界层均比一般地区更深厚.在夏季晴天,夜间稳定边界层厚度超过900 m,最厚可以达到1750 m,其上的残余层一般能达到4000 m左右的高度;白天混合层最高达3700 m,混合层顶的逆温层顶盖的厚度大约450 m,甚至更厚,对流边界层厚度能够超过4000 m,对流边界层进入残余层后发展十分迅速.研究表明,白天深厚的对流边界层是夜间保持清晰而深厚的残余混合层的先决条件,夜间深厚的残余混合层又为白天对流边界层的发展提供了一个非常有利的热力环境条件.该地区经常性出现连续性晴天使得大气残余层的累积效应得以较长时间持续发展,创造了比较有利于大气对流边界层发展的大气热力环境条件.同时,该地区陆面过程和近地层大气运动特征也为这种独特的大气热力边界层结构提供了较好的支持.就该地区发展超厚大气对流边界层的物理机理而言,地表显著增温是强有力的外部热力强迫条件,近地层强感热通量提供了较充足的能量条件,较大的对流运动和湍流运动的速度是必要的运动学条件,大气残余层的累积效应提供了有利的热力环境条件.     

Measurements of the height of the convective surface boundary layer over an arid coast on the Red Sea

The height of the convective boundary layer over an arid coast on the Red Sea was measured by high-resolution radiosondes. These measurements can be used to compute sensible heat flux by the method devised by Danard (1981). The average heat flux computed is in good agreement with results obtained independently by both the energy balance method and the free-convection equation.     

Experimental study of heat and water vapor transfer processes in the planetary boundary layer (PBL)

The turbulent structure of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) is investigated based on measurements from a 213 m meteorological tower. It is found that the sensible heat flux decreases with height, resulting in a temperature increase during the daytime. On the other hand, the water vapor flux is almost constant with height and the diurnal variation of specific humidity is not so clear. Time variations of sensible heat flux and water vapor flux are closely correlated to the variation of net radiation and some differences are seen in their response times. Transient processes in the mixed layer including those related to the moisture structure are also investigated during periods of development and disappearance of the layer.     

华东区域夏季行星边界层大气稳定度的气候特征及其与气溶胶的联系

利用1979-2008年夏季（6—8月）逐日NCEP／NACR再分析资料、MODIS卫星的气溶胶资料等,研究了华东区域夏季行星边界层大气稳定度的气候特征与年际变化,分析了大气稳定度和相应的加热场与气溶胶光学厚度（aerosol optical depth,AOD）的联系。结果表明：华东区域夏季行星边界层大气稳定度在空间上分布不均匀,时间上具有明显的年际变化。边界层中的非绝热加热率、大气稳定度及气溶胶光学厚度三者之间可能存在密切联系。利用经验正交函数分析了华东区域总体理查森数Rib的距平场,得到了边界层稳定度分布的3个主要模态,这3个模态所代表的边界层大气稳定度异常与夏季风环流异常密切相关,特别是P-J型遥相关波列和西太平洋副热带高压在中国东部大气边界层稳定度变化中可能起着非常重要的作用。     

Study on Physical Mechanism of Influence on Atmospheric Boundary Layer Depth in the Arid Regions of Northwest China

Using the sounding data of wind, temperature, and humidity in the boundary layer and micrometeorological data on the earth's surface observed in the same period in Dunhuang arid region of Northwest China,this paper researches characteristics of potential temperature, wind, and humidity profiles, confirms the structure and depth of thermodynamic boundary layer in Dunhuang region, and analyzses the relationship of depth of thermodynamic boundary layer with surface radiation, buoyancy flux as well as wind speed and wind direction shear in the boundary layer. The results show that the maximum depth of diurnal convective boundary layer is basically above 2000 m during the observational period, many times even in excess of 3000 m and sometimes up to 4000 m; the depth of nocturnal stable boundary layer basically maintains within a range of 1000-1500 m. As a whole, the depth of atmospheric boundary layer is obviously bigger than those results observed in other regions before. By analyzing, a preliminary judgement is that the depth of atmospheric thermodynamic boundary layer in Dunhuang region may relate to local especial radiation characteristics, surface properties (soil moisture content and heat capacity) as well as wind velocity shear of boundary layer, and these properties have formed strong buoyancy flux and dynamic forcing in a local region which are fundamental causes for producing a super deep atmospheric boundary layer.     

Model evaluation of the atmospheric boundary layer and mixed-layer evolution

In the present study, an attempt is made to assess the atmospheric boundary-layer (ABL) depth over an urban area, as derived from different ABL schemes employed by the mesoscale model MM5. Furthermore, the relationship of the mixing height, as depicted by the measurements, to the calculated ABL depth or other features of the ABL structure, is also examined. In particular, the diurnal evolution of ABL depth is examined over the greater Athens area, employing four different ABL schemes plus a modified version, whereby urban features are considered. Measurements for two selected days, when convective conditions prevailed and a strong sea-breeze cell developed, were used for comparison. It was found that the calculated eddy viscosity profile seems to better indicate the mixing height in both cases, where either a deep convective boundary layer develops, or a more confined internal boundary layer is formed. For the urban scheme, the incorporation of both anthropogenic and storage heat release provides promising results for urban applications.     

南海季风建立前后珠江三角洲的陆气热量交换与热力边界层结构特征

根据动力与热力指标,2004和2005年南海季风建立前后可分成明显的4个阶段——季风建立前的雨期、非雨期;季风建立后的活跃期与非活跃期。对2004和2005年南海季风建立前后的广州番禺综合外场观测资料进行分析,得到了这4个阶段陆气热量交换与热力边界层的主要特征:净辐射与净短波辐射的变化趋势基本一致,净短波辐射与净长波辐射之比为3.49—4.81,净短波辐射是净辐射的主要贡献项,云量与降水是控制净短波辐射与净辐射的直接因素;季风活跃期间午间对流云系对太阳辐射衰减显著,造成了辐射各分量以及热通量的峰值区变窄,量值急剧变小;季风建立前后感热与潜热均是净辐射的主要消耗项,占净辐射的90%以上,潜热明显大于感热,2005年较2004年潜热的分配额有明显的增加,其原因可能与近地层的风速较大,总是维持向上的湿度梯度有关;季风建立前后除季风活跃期外边界层位温结构均具有明显的日变化特征,午间混合层可发展至1070m,而季风活跃期间午间混合层发展受到对流云释放潜热的抑制,导致季风活跃期混合层消失的现象,分析还发现季风建立前后各阶段夜间残余混合层均不明显。分析表明引起陆气能量过程及边界层热力结构差异的关键因素之一是云系与降水,加强边界层过程与降水宏微观过程相互作用的研究是深入认识陆气过程与边界层结构特征的关键。     

Evidence of a Convective Boundary Layer Developingon the Antarctic Plateau during the Summer

Summary The development of a convective boundary layer over the Antarctic Plateau is documented by a Doppler minisodar data-set recorded during a 10 day campaign in January 1997. The vertical velocities associated with thermals do not exceed 1 m/s, while the depth of the convective layer, usually less than 200 m, never surpasses 300 m. Measurements of momentum flux, sensible heat flux, wind speed and radiation budget show characteristics that are typical of a convective boundary layer evolution. The diurnal behaviour of absolute humidity, however, exhibits features that are not expected, e.g. anticorrelation with incoming net radiation and air temperature. Received October 30, 1998 Revised May 26, 1999     

Atmospheric Boundary-Layer Dynamics with Constant Bowen Ratio

Motivated by the observation that the diurnal evolution of sensible and latent heat fluxes tends to maintain a constant Bowen ratio, we derive approximate solutions of the ordinary differential equations of a simplified atmospheric boundary-layer (ABL) model. Neglecting the early morning transition, the potential temperature and specific humidity of the mixed layer are found to be linearly related to the ABL height. Similar behaviour is followed by the inversion strengths of temperature and humidity at the top of the ABL. The potential temperature of the mixed layer depends on the entrainment parameter and the free-atmosphere temperature lapse rate, while the specific humidity also depends on the free-atmosphere humidity lapse rate and the Bowen ratio. The temporal dynamics appear only implicitly in the evolution of the height of the boundary layer, which in turn depends on the time-integrated surface sensible heat flux. Studying the limiting behaviour of the Bowen ratio for very low and very large values of net available energy, we also show how the tendency to maintain constant Bowen ratio during midday hours stems from its relative insensitivity to the atmospheric conditions for large values of net available energy. The analytical expression for the diurnal evolution of the ABL obtained with constant Bowen ratio is simple and provides a benchmark for the results of more complex models.     

夏季我国干旱、半干旱区陆面过程能量平衡及其局地大气环流

利用NCEP资料分析得出,夏季我国干旱,半干旱区在整个欧亚大陆上是陆面感热通量最强的地方,与此对应的陆面潜热通量则最弱.陆面所接收的太阳短波辐射主要以感热和长波辐射的能量形式释放.该区降水量很少,降水量的年际变率也很弱;因此,该区的陆面热量通量都显出很弱的年际变率;然而,这些通量的年代际变率信号则比较显著.我国干旱、半干旱区大气环流的热力过程与其陆面过程特征密切相关.该区对流层大气的辐射冷却很强,达-3 K d-1.由于缺乏水汽和上升运动,大尺度凝结加热率、深对流加热率、浅对流加热率都非常弱.因此,600hPa以上的大气以绝热下沉加热来平衡辐射冷却;600hPa以下,陆面感热引起的垂直扩散加热率非常强,多达8 K d-1,它除了平衡辐射冷却以外还制造对流层低层的对流运动,以绝热上升冷却来平衡多余的垂直扩散加热.总之,我国干旱、半干旱区的陆面过程特征决定了该区大气运动的特殊垂直结构,即对流层低层对流上升运动及其上层的下沉运动.我国干旱、半干旱区陆面能量平衡及其局地大气环流的年代际变率,是全球气候系统年代际变率的必然结果.     

Numerical simulations of the tropical air-sea planetary boundary layer

A one-dimensional numerical model of the planetary boundary layer was used to investigate thermal and kinetic energy budgets. The simulation experiments were based on two sets of data. The first set was based on a ‘typical’ June with climatological data extracted for the oceanic region slightly northeast of Barbados. The second set used data from the third phase of project BOMEX, for approximately the same area and time of year as the first set. Comparison with observations of three simulated elements (viz., sea surface temperature and wind and humidity at 6 m) which are important in determining the near-interface energy transports shows that:

1. the model is capable of realistic simulations of both ‘typical’ conditions, and conditions for a specific four-day period;
2. the model is capable of realistically simulating the differences between prevailing values of these parameters in the two cases (‘typical’ and specific four-day period).

The simulated interface fluxes are those of incoming and outgoing short- and long-wave radiation; transmitted radiation at -0.5 m in the ocean, sensible heat transfer into the ocean and air, and latent heat flux of evaporation. Comparison with observational analyses shows that the diurnal variations in net radiation and heat storage in the mixed layer are realistically simulated. The simulated values of evaporation are consistent with other estimates for both ‘typical’ conditions and specific conditions during this four-day period. The rate of heat storage varies between +51 and -37 percent of the diurnal maximum incoming radiation, and the evaporation varies between +16% and -13% of this term. The non-dimensional transfer coefficients (C _D, C_T, C_q) computed from the model show general agreement with the coefficients calculated from observations in the simulated region (Pondet al., 1971). The simulated vertical profiles of temperature are in general agreement with observed profiles, except in the uppermost portions of the atmospheric boundary layer where deviations of approximately 1.5C occur. Simulated vertical profiles of wind speed are generally consistent with observed profiles, with the largest deviations appearing to be of the order of 0.5 m s^-1. Simulated vertical profiles of the eddy fluxes of sensible heat, water vapor, and momentum are generally consistent with Bunker's (1970) aircraft-based measurements of these quantities. The time averages of these simulated profiles show regular decreases with height, while simulated profiles for specific hours of the day show intermediate maxima and minima, which are also seen in the measured profiles. The vertically integrated kinetic energy budgets of the modelled atmospheric layer are presented through the four terms of the kinetic energy budget, viz., the upper and the lower boundary drags, dissipation, and potential-to-kinetic conversion. The dominant terms in the atmospheric energy budgets are the production and dissipation terms, with kinetic energy being exported both to the overlying atmospheric layer and to the underlying oceanic layer at rates of about 2 to 6% of the production, respectively. Comparisons between the climatological and BOMEX simulations are presented. The vertically integrated humidity budgets are presented for the two simulation experiments. Under ‘typical’ conditions, the humidity budget reveals an upper boundary flux of about +29% of the lower boundary flux with the vertically integrated advective flux being -59% of the lower flux. For the specific four-day simulation, the upper boundary flux and advection are about +28 and -70%, respectively, of the lower boundary flux.     

WRF模式对青藏高原那曲地区大气边界层模拟适用性研究

采用WRF（Weather Research and Forecasting）模式4种边界层参数化方案对青藏高原那曲地区边界层特征进行了数值模拟,并利用"第三次青藏高原大气科学试验"在青藏高原那曲地区5个站点的观测资料对模拟结果进行验证,分析不同参数化方案在那曲地区的适用性。研究表明,YSU、MYJ、ACM2和BouLac方案对2 m气温和地表温度的模拟偏低。BouLac方案模拟的地表温度偏差较小。通过对能量平衡各分量的对比分析发现,温度模拟偏低可能是向下长波辐射模拟偏低以及感热通量和潜热通量交换过强导致的。对于边界层风、位温和相对湿度垂直结构的模拟,局地方案的模拟效果均优于非局地方案。BouLac方案对那曲地区近地层温度、边界层内位温和相对湿度的垂直分布模拟效果较好。