scholarly journals Marine Boundary Layer Height Obtained by New Numerical Regularization Method Based on GPS Radio Occultation Data

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 4762
Author(s):  
Jianyin Zhou ◽  
Jie Xiang ◽  
Sixun Huang
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Marine Boundary Layer ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Ocean Currents ◽  
Free Atmosphere ◽  
Layer Height ◽  
Boundary Layer Height ◽  
Occultation Data ◽  
Numerical Regularization

The boundary layer height (BLH) determines the interface between the lower and the free atmosphere, and it is a key variable in numerical simulations and aerosol and environmental pollution studies. This article proposes a novel method in conjunction with numerical regularization to analyze the climate characteristics of the marine boundary layer height (MBLH) using 2007–2011 GPS-RO data from the COSMIC mission. The MBLH corresponds to the smallest gradient, which is calculated using the numerical regulation method where the regulation parameters are determined by the double-parameter model function method. The results reveal the relationship between the MBLH and ocean currents for the first time. A low MBLH is associated with cold seasons and seas where cold ocean currents prevail whereas a high MBLH is related to warm seasons and seas where warm currents prevail. This correlation was validated by comparing the obtained results with different occultation data including atmprf and echprf, which also showed that atmprf is more sensitive to convective cloud top capture. To test the credibility of the results, the standard deviation was used to express the MBLH confidence level. The results show that the standard deviation of the MBLH was highest in low latitudes and lowest in the middle and high latitudes. Furthermore, we analyzed the trends in interannual MBLH variations, which display significant seasonal variations and spatial distributions that correspond with the current and subsolar point. Finally, we conducted a case study in the South China Sea, and identified a distinctive seasonal change and interannual decline in MBLH.

scholarly journals Lidar-based remote sensing of atmospheric boundary layer height over land and ocean

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Luo ◽  
R. Yuan ◽  
Z. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Marine Boundary Layer ◽  
Mixing Layer ◽  
Layer Height ◽  
Boundary Layer Height ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Mixing Layer Height ◽  
Atmospheric Radiation Measurement ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer Height

Abstract. Atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) processes are important in climate, weather and air quality. A better understanding of the structure and the behavior of the ABL is required for understanding and modeling of the chemistry and dynamics of the atmosphere on all scales. Based on the systematic variations of the ABL structures over different surfaces, different lidar-based methods were developed and evaluated to determine the boundary layer height and mixing layer height over land and ocean. With Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) Climate Research Facility (ACRF) micropulse lidar (MPL) and radiosonde measurements, diurnal and season cycles of atmospheric boundary layer depth and the ABL vertical structure over ocean and land are analyzed. The new methods are then applied to satellite lidar measurements. The aerosol-derived global marine boundary layer heights are evaluated with marine ABL stratiform cloud top heights and results show a good agreement between them.

scholarly journals Lidar-based remote sensing of atmospheric boundary layer height over land and ocean

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 8311-8338
Author(s):  
T. Luo ◽  
R. Yuan ◽  
Z. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Marine Boundary Layer ◽  
Layer Structure ◽  
Mixing Layer ◽  
Layer Height ◽  
Boundary Layer Height ◽  
Lidar Measurements ◽  
Mixing Layer Height ◽  
Atmospheric Radiation Measurement

Abstract. Atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) processes are important in climate, weather and air quality. A better understanding of the structure and the behavior of the ABL is required for understanding and modeling of the chemistry and dynamics of the atmosphere on all scales. Based on the systematic variations of ABL structures over different surfaces, different lidar-based methods were developed and evaluated to determine the boundary layer height and mixing layer height over land and ocean. With Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM) Climate Research Facility (ACRF) micropulse lidar (MPL) and radiosonde measurements, diurnal and season cycles of atmospheric boundary layer depth and ABL vertical structure over ocean (TWP_C2 cite) and land (SGP_C1) are analyzed. The new methods are also applied to satellite lidar measurements. The derived global marine boundary layer structure database shows good agreement with marine ABL stratiform cloud top height.

scholarly journals Investigation of near-global daytime boundary layer height using high-resolution radiosondes: First results and comparison with ERA-5, MERRA-2, JRA-55, and NCEP-2 reanalyses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianping Guo ◽  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Kun Yang ◽  
Hong Liao ◽  
Shaodong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Boundary Layer ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Western United States ◽  
Western China ◽  
Free Atmosphere ◽  
Layer Height ◽  
Boundary Layer Height ◽  
Global View

Abstract. The planetary boundary layer height (BLH) governs the vertical transport of mass, momentum and moisture between the surface and the free atmosphere, and thus its characterization is recognized as crucial for air quality, weather and climate. Although reanalysis products can provide important insight into the global view of BLH in a seamless way, the in situ observed BLH on a global scale remains poorly understood due to the lack of high-resolution (1-s or 2-s) radiosonde measurements. The present study attempts to establish a near-global BLH climatology at synoptic times (0000 and 1200 UTC) and in the daytime using high-resolution radiosonde measurements over 300 radiosonde sites worldwide for the period 2012 to 2019, which is then compared against the BLHs obtained from four reanalysis datasets, including ERA-5, MERRA-2, JRA-55, and NCEP-2. The variations of BLH exhibit large spatial and temporal dependence, and as a result the BLH maxima are generally discerned over the regions such as Western United States and Western China, in which the balloon launch times mostly correspond to the afternoon. The diurnal variations of BLH are revealed with a peak at 1700 Local Solar Time (LST). The most promising reanalysis product is ERA-5, which underestimates BLH by around 130 m as compared to radiosondes. In addition, MERRA-2 is a well-established product and has an underestimation of around 160 m. JRA-55 and NCEP-2 might produce considerable additional uncertainties, with a much larger underestimation of up to 400 m. The largest bias in the reanalysis data appears over the Western United States and Western China and it might be attributed to the maximal BLH in the afternoon when the boundary layer has grown up. Statistical analyses further indicate that the biases of reanalysis BLH products are positively associated with orographic complexity, as well as the occurrence of static instability. To our best knowledge, this study presents the first near-global view of high-resolution radiosonde derived BLH and provides a quantitative assessment of the four frequently used reanalysis products.

scholarly journals Marine boundary layer structure as observed by A-train satellites

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 5891-5903 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Luo ◽  
Zhien Wang ◽  
Damao Zhang ◽  
Bing Chen
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Marine Boundary Layer ◽  
Layer Structure ◽  
Mixing Layer ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Layer Height ◽  
Boundary Layer Height ◽  
Ocean Region ◽  
Low Cloud

Abstract. The marine boundary layer (MBL) structure is important to the marine low cloud processes, and the exchange of heat, momentum, and moisture between oceans and the low atmosphere. This study examines the MBL structure over the eastern Pacific region and further explores the controlling factors of MBL structure over the global oceans with a new 4-year satellite-based data set. The MBL top (boundary layer height, BLH) and the mixing layer height (MLH) were identified using the MBL aerosol lidar backscattering from the CALIPSO (Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations). Results showed that the MBL is generally decoupled with MLH ∕ BLH ratio ranging from  ∼  0.5 to  ∼  0.8 over the eastern Pacific Ocean region. The MBL decoupling magnitude is mainly controlled by estimated inversion strength (EIS), which in turn controls the cloud top entrainment process. The systematic differences between drizzling and non-drizzling stratocumulus tops also show dependence on EIS. This may be related to the meso-scale circulations or gravity wave in the MBL. Further analysis indicates that the MBL shows a similar decoupled structure for clear-sky and cumulus-cloud-topped conditions, but is better mixed under stratiform cloud breakup and overcast conditions.

scholarly journals Investigation of near-global daytime boundary layer height using high-resolution radiosondes: first results and comparison with ERA5, MERRA-2, JRA-55, and NCEP-2 reanalyses

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 17079-17097
Author(s):  
Jianping Guo ◽  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Kun Yang ◽  
Hong Liao ◽  
Shaodong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Boundary Layer ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Western United States ◽  
Western China ◽  
Free Atmosphere ◽  
Layer Height ◽  
Boundary Layer Height ◽  
Global View

Abstract. The planetary boundary layer (PBL) governs the vertical transport of mass, momentum, and moisture between the surface and the free atmosphere, and thus the determination of PBL height (BLH) is recognized as crucial for air quality, weather, and climate analysis. Although reanalysis products can provide important insight into the global view of BLH in a seamless way, the BLH observed in situ on a global scale remains poorly understood due to the lack of high-resolution (1 or 2 s) radiosonde measurements. The present study attempts to establish a near-global BLH climatology at synoptic times (00:00 and 12:00 UTC) and in the daytime using high-resolution radiosonde measurements over 300 radiosonde sites worldwide for the period 2012 to 2019, which is then compared against the BLHs obtained from four reanalysis datasets, including ERA5, MERRA-2, JRA-55, and NCEP-2. The variations in daytime BLH exhibit large spatial and temporal dependence, and as a result the BLH maxima are generally discerned over the regions such as the western United States and western China, in which the balloon launch times mostly correspond to the afternoon. The diurnal variations in BLH are revealed with a peak at 17:00 local solar time (LST). The most promising reanalysis product is ERA5, which underestimates BLH by around 130 m as compared to radiosondes released during daytime. In addition, MERRA-2 is a well-established product and has an underestimation of around 160 m. JRA-55 and NCEP-2 might produce considerable additional uncertainties, with a much larger underestimation of up to 400 m. The largest bias in the reanalysis data appears over the western United States and western China, and it might be attributed to the maximal BLH in the afternoon when the PBL has risen. Statistical analyses further indicate that the biases of reanalysis BLH products are positively associated with orographic complexity, as well as the occurrence of static instability. To our best knowledge, this study presents the first near-global view of high-resolution radiosonde-derived boundary layer height and provides a quantitative assessment of the four frequently used reanalysis products.

scholarly journals The Marine Boundary Layer Height over the Western North Pacific Based on GPS Radio Occultation, Island Soundings, and Numerical Models

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Fang-Ching Chien ◽  
Jing-Shan Hong ◽  
Ying-Hwa Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Western North Pacific ◽  
Radio Occultation ◽  
Marine Boundary Layer ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Layer Height ◽  
Boundary Layer Height ◽  
Atmospheric Instability ◽  
Near Shore

This paper estimates marine boundary layer height (MBLH) over the western North Pacific (WNP) based on Global Positioning System Radio Occultation (GPS-RO) profiles from the Formosa Satellite Mission 3 (FORMOSAT-3)/Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) satellites, island soundings, and numerical models. The seasonally-averaged MBLHs computed from nine years (2007–2015) of GPS-RO data are inter-compared with those obtained from sounding observations at 15 island stations and from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Reanalysis (ERA-Interim) and National Centers for Environmental Prediction Global Forecast System (NCEP GFS) data over the WNP from 2012 to 2015. It is found that the MBLH using nine years of GPS-RO data is smoother and more consistent with that obtained from sounding observations than is the MBLH using four years of GPS-RO data in a previous study. In winter, higher MBLHs are found around the subtropical latitudes and over oceans east of Japan, which are approximately located within the paths of the North Equatorial Current and the Kuroshio Current. The MBLH is also significantly higher in winter than in summer over the WNP. The above MBLH pattern is generally similar to those obtained from the analysis data of the ERA-Interim and NCEP GFS, but the heights are about 200 m higher. The verification with soundings suggests that the ERA-Interim has a better MBLH estimation than the NCEP GFS. Thus, the MBLH distributions obtained from both the nine-year GPS-RO and the ERA-Interim data can represent well the climatological MBLH over the WNP, but the heights should be adjusted about 30 m lower for the former and ~200 m higher for the latter. A positive correlation between the MBLH and the instability of the lower atmosphere exists over large near-shore areas of the WNP, where cold air can move over warm oceans from the land in winter, resulting in an increase in lower-atmospheric instability and providing favorable conditions for convection to yield a higher MBLH. During summer, the lower-atmospheric instability becomes smaller and the MBLH is thus lower over near-shore oceans.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document