You are here:
LIDAR OBSERVATIONS OF MIXED LAYER DYNAMICS: TESTS OF PARAMETERIZED ENTRAINMENT MODELS OF MIXED LAYER GROWTH RATE
Citation:
Boers, R., E. Eloranta, AND R. Coulter. LIDAR OBSERVATIONS OF MIXED LAYER DYNAMICS: TESTS OF PARAMETERIZED ENTRAINMENT MODELS OF MIXED LAYER GROWTH RATE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-84/186 (NTIS PB85156503), 1984.
Description:
Lidar measurements of the atmospheric boundary layer height, the entrainment zone, wind speed and direction, ancillary temperature profiles and surface flux data were used to test current parameterized entrainment models of mixed layer growth rate. Six case studies under clear air convective conditions over flat terrain in Central Illinois are presented. It is shown that surface heating alone accounts for a major portion of the rise of the mixed layer on all days. All entrainment models underpredict the mixed layer height. It is suggested that this is partly caused by shear-driven entrainment at the top of the mixed layer, which is not properly parameterized. Development of small cumulus clouds on top of the layer is shown to be important in the afternoon growth phase. (Copyright (c) 1984 American Meteorological Society.)