Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A numerical study of the effects of synoptic baroclinicity on stable boundary-layer evolution

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

Abstract

The effects of synoptic baroclinicity on the evolution of the stable boundary layer are studied by using a numerical model in which the eddy exchange coefficients are determined from the turbulent kinetic energy and a local turbulent length scale. For model verification, several barotropic simulations are compared with those of higher-order closure models. The model predicts the existence of a value of geostrophic wind shear at which the nocturnal jet reaches its maximum intensity. The mechanism by which ageostrophic flow is generated and the role it plays in the development of the jet are explored. As baroclinicity increases, the directional shear in the wind near the level of the jet increases, thereby allowing the nocturnal inversion to grow to levels well above that of the jet.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonner, W. D.: 1968, ‘Climatology of the Low Level Jet’, Monthly Weather Rev. 96, 833–850.

    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.: 1973, ‘Turbulent Transfer in the Atmospheric Surface Layer’, in D. A. Haugen (ed.), Workshop on Micrometeorology, Amer. Meteorol. Soc., Boston, pp. 67–100.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang, L. P., Takle, E. S., and Sani, R. L.: 1982, ‘Development of a 2-D Finite-Element PBL Model and Two Preliminary Applications’, Monthly Weather Rev. 110, 2025–2037.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, R. H., Dyer, A. J., Brook, R. R., Reid, D. G., and Troup, A. J.: 1971, ‘The Wangara Experiment: Boundary-Layer Data’, Tech. Pap. No. 19, CSIRO, Div. Meteor. Phys., Melbourne, Australia, 362 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deaves, D. M.: 1981, ‘A Note on the Upper Boundary Conditions for Turbulence Models in the Neutral Atmosphere’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 21, 489–493.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Lettau, H. and Davidson, B.: 1957, Exploring the Atmosphere's First Mile, two vols., Pergamon Press, New York and London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahrt, L.: 1981, ‘The Early Evening Boundary Layer Transition’, Q. J. R. Meteorol. Soc. 107, 329–343.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Mailhot, J. and Benoit, R.: 1982, ‘A Finite-Element Model of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Suitable for Use with Numerical Weather Prediction Models’, J. Atmos. Sci. 19, 2249–2266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paegle, J., Zdunkowski, W. G., and Welch, R. M.: 1976, ‘Implicit Differencing of Predictive Equations of the Boundary Layer’, Monthly Weather Rev. 104, 1321–1324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paulson, C. A.: 1970, ‘The Mathematical Representation of Wind Speed and Temperature Profiles in the Unstable Atmospheric Surface Layer’, J. Appl. Meteorol. 9, 857–861.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, K. S. and Snodgrass, H. F.: 1979, ‘Some Parameterizations of the Nocturnal Boundary Layer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 17, 15–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Therry, G. and Lacarrère, P.: 1983, ‘Improving the Eddy Kinetic Energy Model for Planetary Boundary Layer Description’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 25, 63–88.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeman, O.: 1979, ‘Parameterization of the Dynamics of Stable Boundary Layers and Nocturnal Jets’, J. Atmos. Sci. 36, 792–804.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. R. D. Russell

    Present address: Department of Physical Sciences, Auburn University, 36193, Montgomery, AL, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences and Agronomy, Iowa State University, 50011, Ames, IA, USA

    R. D. Russell & E. S. Takle

Authors
  1. R. D. Russell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. S. Takle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Journal Paper No. J-11109 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, IA. Project 2521.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Russell, R.D., Takle, E.S. A numerical study of the effects of synoptic baroclinicity on stable boundary-layer evolution. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 31, 385–418 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120837

Download citation

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120837

Keywords

Search

Navigation