Skip to main content
Log in

Stable Atmospheric Boundary-Layer Experiment in Spain (SABLES 98): A Report

  • Published:
Boundary-Layer Meteorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes the Stable AtmosphericBoundary Layer Experiment in Spain (SABLES 98),which took place over the northern Spanish plateaucomprising relatively flat grassland,in September 1998. The main objectives of the campaign were to study the properties of themid-latitude stable boundary layer (SBL).Instrumentation deployed on two meteorologicalmasts (of heights 10 m and 100 m)included five sonic anemometers, 15 thermocouples,five cup anemometers and three propeller anemometers,humidity sensors and radiometers.A Sensitron mini-sodar and a tetheredballoon were also operated continuously. Atriangular array of cup anemometers wasinstalled to allow the detection ofwave events. Two nocturnal periods analysedon 14–15 and 20–21 September are used toillustrate the wide-ranging characteristics of the SBL.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andre, J. C. and Mahrt, L.: 1982, ‘The Nocturnal Surface Inversion and the Influence of Clear-Air Radiative Cooling’, J. Atmos. Sci. 39, 864-878.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andren, A.: 1995, ‘The Structure of Stably Stratified Atmospheric Boundary Layers: A Large-Eddy Simulation Study’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 121, 961-985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arya, S. P. S.: 1981, ‘Parameterizing the Height of the Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layer’, J. Appl. Meteorol. 20, 1192-1202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyrich, F.: 1997, ‘Mixing Height Estimation from Sodar Data –-A Critical Discussion’, Atmos. Environ. 31, 3941-3953.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyrich, F. and Weill, A.: 1993, ‘Some Aspects of Determining the Stable Boundary Layer Depth from Sodar Data’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 63, 97-116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackadar, A. K.: 1957, ‘Boundary Layer Wind Maxima and their Significance for the Growth of the Nocturnal Inversion’, Bull. Amer. Meteorol. Soc. 38, 283-290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brost, R. A. and Wyngaard, J. C.: 1978, ‘A Model Study of the Stably Stratified Planetary Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 35, 1427-1440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Businger, J. A., Wyngaard, J. C., Izumi, Y., and Bradley, E. F.: 1971, ‘Flux-Profile Relationship in the Atmospheric Surface Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 28, 181-189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caughey, S. J. and Readings, C. J.: 1975, ‘An Observation of Waves and Turbulence in the Earth's Boundary Layer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 9, 279-296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chimonas, G.: 1985, ‘Apparent Counter-Gradient Heat Fluxes Generated by Atmospheric Waves’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 31, 1-12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, R. H. and Brook, R. R.: 1979, ‘The Koorin Expedition –-Atmospheric Boundary Layer Data over Tropical Savannah Land’, Dept. of Science, Canberra, 359 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, R. H., Dyer, A. J., Brooke, R. R., Reid, D. G., and Troup, A. J.: 1971, ‘The Wangara Experiment. Boundary-Layer Data’, Paper No. 19, Division of Meteorol. Phys., CSIRO, Australia, 21 pp. and data Tables (316 pp.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuxart, J., Bougeault, P., and Redelsperger, J.-L.: 2000, ‘A Turbulence Scheme Allowing for Mesoscale and Large-Eddy Simulations’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 126, 1-30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deardorff, J. W.: 1972a, ‘Parameterization of the Planetary Boundary Layer for use in General Circulation Models’, Mon. Wea. Rev. 100, 93-106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deardorff, J. W.: 1972b, ‘Rate of Growth of the Nocturnal Boundary Layer’, in H. W. Church and R. E. Luna (eds.), Proc. Symp. Air Pollution, Turbulence and Diffusion, U.S.A., pp. 183-190.

  • Delage, Y.: 1974, ‘A Numerical Study of the Nocturnal Atmospheric Boundary Layer’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 100, 351-364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derbyshire, S. H.: 1990, ‘Nieuwstadt's Stable Boundary Layer Revisited’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 116, 127-158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derbyshire, S. H.: 1995, ‘Stable Boundary Layer: Observations, Models and Variability. Part I: Modelling and Measurements’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 74, 19-54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duynkerke, P. G.: 1991, ‘Radiation Fog: A Comparison of Model Simulation with Detailed Observations’, Mon. Wea. Rev. 119, 324-341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Einaudi, F. and Finnigan, J. J.: 1981, ‘Interaction between an Internal Gravity Wave and the Planetary Boundary Layer, Part 1: Linear Analysis’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 107, 793-806.

    Google Scholar 

  • Einaudi, F. and Finnigan, J. J.: 1993, ‘Wave-Turbulence Dynamics in the Stably Stratified Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 50, 1841-1864.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garcia, J. A., Cancillo, M. L., Cano, J. L., Maqueda, G., Cana, L., and Yagüe, C.: 1997, ‘Study of the Evolution of the Nocturnal Boundary-Layer Height at the Central Nuclear of Almaraz (Spain): Diagnostic Relationships’, in R. San Jose and C. A. Brebbia (eds.), Measurements and Modelling in Environmental Pollution, Computational Mechanics Publications, pp. 131-150.

  • Garratt, J. R.: 1982, ‘Observations in the Nocturnal Boundary Layer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 22, 21-48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garratt, J. R.: 1985, ‘The Inland Boundary Layer at Low Latitudes. I. The Nocturnal Jet’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 32, 307-327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, J. C. R., Kaimal, J. C., and Gaynor, J. E.: 1985, ‘Some Observations of Turbulence Structure in Stable Layers’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 111, 793-815.

    Google Scholar 

  • Izumi, Y.: 1971, ‘Kansas 1968 Field Program Data Report’, Environmental Research Papers No. 369, AFC RL-72 0041, Air Force Cambridge Research Lab., Bedford, U.S.A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Izumi, Y. and Caughey, J. S.: 1976, ‘Minnesota 1973 Atmospheric Boundary Layer Experiment Data Report’, Environmental Research Papers No. 547, Air Force Cambridge Research Lab., Bedford, U.S.A., 79 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaimal, J. C. and Gaynor, J. E.: 1983, ‘Boulder Atmospheric Observatory’, J. Clim. Appl. Meteorol. 22, 863-880.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, J. C.: 1989, ‘Stable Antarctic Boundary Layer Experiment at Halley Station’, Weather 44, 398-405.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kondo, J., Kanechica, O., and Yasuda, N.: 1978, ‘Heat and Momentum Transfers under Strong Stability in the Atmospheric Surface Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 35, 1012-1021.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lafore, J. P., Stein J., Asencio, N., Bougeault, P., Ducrocq, V., Duron, J., Fischer, C., Hereil, P., Mascart, P., Pinty, J. P., Redelsperger, J. L., Richard, E., and Vila-Guerau de Arellano, J.: 1998, ‘The Meso-Nh Atmospheric Simulation System. Part I: Adiabatic Formulation and Control Simulation’, Ann. Geophys. 16, 90-109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lettau, H. H. and Davidson, B.: 1957, Exploring the Atmosphere's First Mile, Pergamon Press, U.K. 578 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahrt, L.: 1981a, ‘The Early Evening Boundary Layer Transition’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 107, 329-343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahrt, L.: 1981b, ‘Modelling the Depth of the Stable Boundary Layer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 21, 3-19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahrt, L.: 1985, ‘Vertical Structure and Turbulence in the Very Stable Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 42, 2333-2349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahrt, L.: 1989, ‘Intermittency of Atmospheric Turbulence’, J. Atmos. Sci. 46, 79-95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahrt, L.: 1999, ‘Stratified Atmospheric Boundary Layers’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 90, 375-396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahrt, L., Heald, R. C., Lenschow, D. H., Stankov, B. B., and Troen, I. B.: 1979, ‘An Observational Study of the Structure of the Nocturnal Boundary Layer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 17, 247-264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, P. J. and Derbyshire, S. H.: 1990, ‘Large-Eddy Simulation of the Stably Stratified Atmospheric Boundary Layer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 53, 117-162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nai-Ping, L., Neff, W. D., and Kaimal, J. C.: 1983, ‘Wave and Turbulence Structure in a Disturbed Nocturnal Inversion’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 26, 141-155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nieuwstadt, F. T. M.: 1984a, ‘Some Aspects of the Turbulent Stable Boundary Layer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 30, 31-55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nieuwstadt, F. T. M.: 1984b, ‘The Turbulent Structure of the Stable Nocturnal Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 41, 2202-2216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nieuwstadt, F. T. M. and Driedonks, A. G. M.: 1979, ‘The Nocturnal Boundary Layer: A Case Study Compared with Model Calculations’, J. Appl. Meteorol. 18, 1397-1405.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostdiek, V. and Blumen, W.: 1997, ‘A Dynamic Trio: Inertial Oscillation, Deformation Frontogenesis, and the Ekman-Taylor Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 54, 1490-1502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees, J. M.: 1991, ‘On the Characteristics of Eddies in the Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 55, 325-343.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees, J. M. and Mobbs, S. D.: 1988, ‘Studies of Internal Gravity Waves at Halley Base, Antarctica, Using Wind Observations’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 114, 939-966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees, J. M., Denholm-Price, J. C. W., King, J. C., and Anderson, P. S.: 2000, ‘A Climatological Study of Internal Gravity Waves in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci., in press.

  • San Jose, R., Casanova, J. L., Viloria, R. E., and Casanova, J.: 1985, ‘Evaluation of the Turbulent Parameters of the Unstable Surface Boundary Layer outside Businger's Range’, Atmos. Environ. 19, 1555-1461.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smedman, A. S.: 1988, ‘Observations of a Multi-Level Turbulence Structure in a Very Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 44, 231-253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sorbjan, Z.: 1989, Structure of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer, Prentice Hall, U.S.A., 317 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, R. W.: 1969, ‘Turbulence and Waves in a Stratified Atmosphere’, Radio Science 4, 1269-1278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stull, R. B.: 1988, An Introduction to Boundary Layer Meteorology, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 666 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorpe, A. J. and Guymer, T. H.: 1977, ‘The Nocturnal Jet’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 103, 633-653.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Ulden, A. P. and Wieringa, J.: 1996, ‘Atmospheric Boundary Layer Research at Cabauw’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 78, 39-69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittich, K. P. and Roth, R.: 1984, ‘A Case Study of Nocturnal Wind and Temperature Profiles over the Inhomogeneous Terrain of Northern Germany with Some Considerations of Turbulent Fluxes’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 28, 169-186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyngaard, J. C.: 1973, ‘On Surface Layer Turbulence’, in D. A. Haugen (ed.), Workshop on Micrometeorology, Amer. Meteorol. Soc., pp. 105-120.

  • Wyngaard, J. C.: 1975, ‘Modelling the Planetary Boundary Layer –-Extension to the Stable Case’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 9, 441-460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yagüe, C. and Cano, J. L.: 1994a, ‘The Influence of Stratification on Heat and Momentum Turbulent Transfer in Antarctica’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 69, 123-136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yagüe, C. and Cano, J. L.: 1994b, ‘Eddy Transfer Processes in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer’, Atmos. Environ. 28, 1275-1289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yagüe, C. and Redondo, J. M.: 1995, ‘A Case Study of Turbulent Parameters during the Antarctic Winter’, Antarc. Sci. 7, 421-433.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Cuxart.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cuxart, J., Yagüe, C., Morales, G. et al. Stable Atmospheric Boundary-Layer Experiment in Spain (SABLES 98): A Report. Boundary-Layer Meteorology 96, 337–370 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002609509707

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002609509707

Navigation