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By characterizing the dynamics of a convective boundary layer above a relatively sparse and uniform orchard canopy, we investigated the impact of the roughness-sublayer (RSL) representation on the predicted diurnal variability of surface fluxes and state variables. Our approach combined numerical experiments, using an atmospheric mixed-layer model including a land-surface-vegetation representation, and measurements from the Canopy Horizontal Array Turbulence Study (CHATS) field experiment near Dixon, California. The RSL is parameterized using an additional factor in the standard Monin–Obukhov similarity theory flux-profile relationships that takes into account the canopy influence on the atmospheric flow. We selected a representative case characterized by southerly wind conditions to ensure well-developed RSL over the orchard canopy. We then investigated the sensitivity of the diurnal variability of the boundary-layer dynamics to the changes in the RSL key scales, the canopy adjustment length scale, Lc, and the β = u*/|U| ratio at the top of the canopy due to their stability and dependence on canopy structure. We found that the inclusion of the RSL parameterization resulted in improved prediction of the diurnal evolution of the near-surface mean quantities (e.g. up to 50 % for the wind velocity) and transfer (drag) coefficients. We found relatively insignificant effects on the modelled surface fluxes (e.g. up to 5 % for the friction velocity, while 3 % for the sensible and latent heat), which is due to the compensating effect between the mean gradients and the drag coefficients, both of which are largely affected by the RSL parameterization. When varying Lc (from 10 to 20 m) and β (from 0.25 to 0.4 m), based on observational evidence, the predicted friction velocity is found to vary by up to 25 % and the modelled surface-energy fluxes (sensible heat, SH, and latent heat of evaporation, LE) vary up to 2 and 9 %. Consequently, the boundary-layer height varies up to 6 %. Furthermore, our analysis indicated that to interpret the CHATS measurements above the canopy, the contributions of non-local effects such as entrainment, subsidence and the advection of heat and moisture over the CHATS site need to be taken into account.

Competition between plants for resources is an important selective force. As a result competition through natural selection determines vegetation functioning and associated atmospheric interactions. Our aim was to investigate how the coupling between vegetation and atmosphere is influenced by plant competition. Though included in some coupled vegetation-atmosphere models, little attention has been paid to systematically study the impact of plant competition in determining the evolution of surface and atmospheric variables. We used a coupled vegetation-atmosphere model and included a new representation of plant competition. We compared the model results with diurnal data from Ameriflux Bondville site over a growing season. Including competition improved LAI (Leaf Area Index) and net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE) predictions; if competition was not considered, there were strong deviations from observations. Remarkably, competition increased LAI while it reduced whole stand photosynthesis, resulting in a less negative NEE. Finally, independent of competition, latent heat flux, surface temperature, specific humidity, and atmospheric CO2 are well reproduced by the model. Only the sensible heat flux was overestimated, mainly due to the imbalance in the surface energy balance that can lead to lower measured sensible heat fluxes. Sensitivity analysis showed that the importance of plant competition on model outcomes increases with more nitrogen and water availability and may differ between soil types. We thus quantified the potential effect of plant competition in a coupled vegetation-atmosphere system and showed that it strongly influences this system, and therefore, we propose that competition should be considered in more vegetation-atmosphere models.

The performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to reproduce the surface wind circulations over complex terrain is examined. The atmospheric evolution is simulated using two versions of the WRF model during an over 13¿year period (1992 to 2005) over a complex terrain region located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. A high horizontal resolution of 2km is used to provide an accurate representation of the terrain features. The multiyear evaluation focuses on the analysis of the accuracy displayed by the WRF simulations to reproduce the wind field of the six typical wind patterns (WPs) identified over the area in a previous observational work. Each pattern contains a high number of days which allows one to reach solid conclusions regarding the model performance. The accuracy of the simulations to reproduce the wind field under representative synoptic situations, or pressure patterns (PPs), of the Iberian Peninsula is also inspected in order to diagnose errors as a function of the large-scale situation. The evaluation is accomplished using daily averages in order to inspect the ability of WRF to reproduce the surface flow as a result of the interaction between the synoptic scale and the regional topography. Results indicate that model errors can originate from problems in the initial and lateral boundary conditions, misrepresentations at the synoptic scale, or the realism of the topographic features.

Guided and constrained by a complete data set of surface and upper-air observations taken during the fifth Intensive Observational Period (IOP-05, 25th June 2011) of the Boundary Layer Late Afternoon and Sunset Turbulence (BLLAST) experiment, we reconstruct the evolution of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) using mixed-layer theory. The model results are corroborated by UHF radar and multiple profiles done by unmanned and manned aircraft platforms as well as by radiosondes. During the first morning hours, the ABL is mainly controlled by surface forcing, reaching a depth between 500 and 600 meter. At these levels, large-scale subsidence motions become similar in magnitude to the entrainment velocity and the ABL-growth becomes nearly zero. This equilibrium is maintained until the afternoon transition where mixed-layer model results and observations show a decrease of the boundary layer depth in spite of well mixed observed vertical profiles of heat and moisture. We discuss potential explanations to the development of subsidence motions associated to mesoscale flows driven by the proximity of the Pyrenees mountain range and to large-scale forcing. The heat and moisture budgets are also further analyzed with the mixed layer model. We find strong indications of the active role of heat and moisture advection required to reproduce the observed diurnal variability in temperature and specific humidity. By quantifying the budget terms, we are able to obtain a first estimation of the contribution of advection to the heat and moisture budgets. To complete the analysis, we extend the study to examine the turbulent characteristics of the ABL by using aircraft measurements combined with large-eddy simulations. In so doing, we are able to study the role of wind (directional) shear in the development and maintenance of the ABL. IOP05 was characterized by easterly flows within the ABL and westerly winds aloft. Our findings stress the important role of large scale forcing in understanding the ABL development at various stages during BLLAST. The proposed method can also be very useful to support the further interpretation of observations and mesoscale model experiments.

Mixed-layer theory and large-eddy simulations are used to analyze the dynamics of the boundary layer on two intensive operational periods during the Boundary Layer Late Afternoon and Sunset Turbulence (BLLAST) campaign: 1st and 2nd of July 2011, when convective boundary layers (CBLs) were observed. Continuous measurements made by several remote sensing and in situ instruments in combination with radiosoundings, and measurements done by unmanned aerial vehicles and an aircraft probed the vertical structure and the temporal evolution of the boundary layer. Mixed layer theory (Tennekes and Driedonks, 1981) and the Dutch Atmospheric Large-Eddy Simulation model (DALES, Heus et al., 2011) are set to reproduce and analyze the dynamics of the atmosphere during these two days. The initial vertical profiles of potential temperature, specific humidity and wind, and the temporal evolution of the surface heat and moisture fluxes prescribed in the model runs are inspired by the observations taken at the two supersites that concentrated most of the instrumentation during the campaign. For DALES the initial profile (at 7 UTC on 1st July and 5 UTC on 2nd July) takes into account the existence of a residual layer above the nocturnal stable layer observed during the early morning. The mixed layer model is initialized when a well-developed convective boundary layer was observed, from 10 UTC. Due to the surface heterogeneity of the area, the models were run separately to analyze the boundary layer conditions at the two different supersites. First, the research focuses on the role-played by the residual layer (RL) on the evolution of the boundary layer. By using DALES, we show the importance of the dynamics of the boundary layer during the previous night to the development of the boundary layer at the morning. DALES, which takes into account the residual layer, is capable to model the observed sudden increase of the boundary layer depth and of the potential temperature occurred during the morning transition. There are different sources, which can be the responsible of the overshooting for instance surface and entrainment fluxes or large-scale phenomena. Analyzing the entrainment buoyancy heat flux, a large increase is obtained by the simulation when the residual layer is incorporated in the mixed layer by the growing convective boundary layer. Consequently, a precise definition of the characteristics of the residual layer is fundamental even though it is complex because the evolution of the main variables in the residual layer during the previous night depends on different factors such as radiation divergence or advection. Once the boundary layer is fully developed around midday, both models are used to study the dynamics of the boundary layer during the studied days. The models are able to reproduce the evolution of the boundary layer depth, potential temperature and specific humidity from late morning. They are also used to analyze the role played by subsidence and large-scale advection during the afternoon transition. During 1st of July, heat and moisture advection are negligible contributions to the heat or moisture budget, respectively, but subsidence plays an important role in the turbulence decay during the afternoon when a clear decrease of boundary layer depth was observed. On 2nd of July the main boundary layer variables follow similar evolution to the previous day, but with a lower maximum of the boundary layer depth. However, in the last part of the day, a front was approaching advecting moisture over the area and increasing the cloud cover. To summarize, the residual layer and large-scale phenomena play a crucial role in the development of the boundary layer during some days of the BLLAST campaign.

Goal of this study is to quantify the effect of wind shear on the turbulent transport in the dry Convective Boundary Layer (CBL). Questions addressed include the effect of wind shear on the depth of the mixed layer, the effect of wind shear on the depth and structure of the capping inversion, and the effect of wind shear on the entrainment of free tropospheric air into the mixed layer. Following previous research, we use numerical experiments performed with the DALES LES-model varying both the strength and vertical profile of the geostrophic wind. In contrast to previous investigations, the effect of wind shear is analysed using a General Structure Model (GSM), instead of a more traditional zero-order or first order approach. We have selected the GSM framework because it allows for a more detailed assessment of the vertical structure of the capping inversion. Concepts derived within this framework can therefore be more easily transfered to global and meso-scale models turbulent transport parameterizations, as especially in conditions with high wind shear the capping inversion is often of such thickness that it can comprises multiple model layers in state-of-the art meso-scale and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. The effect of wind shear on the parameterized turbulence transport in NWP and meso-scale models is examined using the Eddy Diffusivity Mass-Flux (EDMF) approach. In contrast with traditional approaches based on K-theory, the EDMF framework acknowledges that turbulent transfer in the CBL can be decomposed into transport due to vertical advection by confined updrafts and diffusive transport (K-theory) within the updrafts and the environmental air. The DALES LES-model results are used to evaluate the effect of wind shear on the different parameters of the EDMF approach. Parameters include the release height and the excess temperature of a parcel that is employed to monitor the updrafts, the vertical velocity of an updraft parcel as it rises through the CBL and penetrates into the capping inversion, and the fraction of air occupied by the updrafts. This study thus extends previous research showing the performance of the EDMF approach in representing turbulent transfer in both clear and cloud-topped boundary layers without wind shear.

BLLAST (Boundary Layer Late Afternoon and Sunset Turbulence) aims at better understanding the thermodynamical processes that occur during the late afternoon in the lower troposphere. In direct contact with the Earth surface, the atmospheric boundary layer is governed by buoyant and mechanical turbulence, with a strong diurnal cycle. The late afternoon transition, from the daytime dry convection to the night-time stable boundary layer, still raises a lot of issues and is poorly represented in the meteorological models. Yet, it plays an important role in the transport and diffusion of trace gases, like water vapour, carbon dioxide, pollutants, dusts... How does the afternoon decay in the lower troposphere happen, when the surface sensible heat flux start to sharply decrease ? How do the scales of the motions and transfers change ? What is the impact on the chemical closure and transport of trace gases and aerosols ? How to properly represent those processes in the meteorological models ? An international group is working on those issues by use of observations and numerical simulations, in order to improve our understanding and representation of the turbulent processes of the boundary-layer late afternoon transition. The roles of surface heterogeneity, entrainment at the boundary layer top, large scale subsidence, radiative effects, advection and gravity waves are studied. Due to the large lack of observations during this phase, a field campaign was organized in the vicinity of a 60-m instrumented tower of Laboratoire d'Aérologie, near the Pyrenees ridge in Southwest France, from 14 June to 8 July 2011. This experiment puts together complementary observation resources, in order to obtain an exhaustive description of the boundary-layer dynamical processes, its vertical structure, and the spatial variability related to surface heterogeneity. Continuous measurements (UHF radar and sodar wind profilers, lidars, ground stations), and intensive observations with aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, tethered balloons and radiosoundings were used. Particular emphasis was placed to bridge the different spatial scales with an integrated analysis of the observations and a complete numerical model hierarchy. This presentation will give an overview of the field experiment, with an emphasis on specific and innovative instrumental aspects, and with some preliminary results, introducing various contributions of BLLAST participants that will be shown along the 20th BLT conference.

Here, the mechanism behind the collapse of turbulence in the evening is investigated as a precursor to the onset of the very stable boundary layer. We study how the atmospheric boundary layer dynamics impact atmospheric chemistry, guided and constrained by observations taken above the boreal forest during the HUMPPA-COPEC-2010 campaign. Based on the vertical profiles of potential temperature and specific moisture, obtained from 132 radio soundings, the vertical stratification is determined. Data is then classified according to different prototypes of the atmospheric boundary layer. By selecting a singular day that is characterized by a convective boundary layer and using a mixed layer model, the main dynamic contributions that influence atmospheric chemistry are determined. We will present how the evolution of the boundary layer height affects the concentrations of atmospheric chemical species. Our findings show the importance of an adequate knowledge of this evolution and, consequently, the need to account for large scale dynamical forcings (subsidence, advection) in order to represent atmospheric chemistry. Extra attention is directed at investigating the impact of temporal (morning) transitions and surface heterogeneity. More specifically, we investigate the impact of mixing with a residual layer aloft during the morning transition on atmospheric chemistry. Specific observed features in the time evolutions of the NOx and O3 concentrations, like morning concentration peaks, can be explained and represented by adequately incorporating the transition of the boundary layer dynamics from nocturnal to diurnal conditions. We complete the analysis by studying the effect of surface heterogeneity and the efficiency of turbulent mixing on the chemical reactivity using a Large Eddy Simulation model. We find that under heterogeneous surface forcings boundary layers become deeper, thereby affecting the dilution capacity of the boundary layer. We will also show that local instantaneous virtual vertical profiles of temperature and chemical species concentrations obtained from the Large Eddy Simulation model deviate more from area and time averaged profiles for heterogeneous surface conditions. In addition, the influence of non-uniform turbulent mixing on the chemical reactivity in the boundary layer is studied under homogeneous and heterogeneous surface conditions. We will present a sensitivity study how this effect, quantified by the intensity of segregation, depends on the surface (e.g., length scale of heterogeneity, differences in emissions) and dynamical conditions. We find that in order to represent atmospheric chemistry in a numerical model, dynamical and chemical effects should be resolved simultaneously.

Ambient total OH reactivity was measured at the Finnish boreal forest station SMEAR II in Hyyti¨al¨a (Latitude 61510 N; Longitude 24170 E) in July and August 2010 using the Comparative Reactivity Method (CRM). The CRM – total OH reactivity method – is a direct, in-situ determination of the total loss rate of hydroxyl radicals (OH) caused by all reactive species in air. During the intensive field campaign HUMPPA-COPEC 2010 (Hyyti¨al¨a United Measurements of Photochemistry and Particles in Air – Comprehensive Organic Precursor Emission and Concentration study) the total OH reactivity was monitored both inside (18 m) and directly above the forest canopy (24 m) for the first time. The comparison between these two total OH reactivity measurements, absolute values and the temporal variation have been analyzed here. Stable boundary layer conditions during night and turbulent mixing in the daytime induced low and high short-term variability, respectively. The impact on total OH reactivity from biogenic emissions and associated photochemical products was measured under “normal” and “stressed” (i.e. prolonged high temperature) conditions. The advection of biomass burning emissions to the site caused a marked change in the total OH reactivity vertical profile. By comparing the OH reactivity contribution from individually measured compounds and the directly measured total OH reactivity, the size of any unaccounted for “missing” sink can be deduced for various atmospheric influences. For “normal” boreal conditions a missing OH reactivity of 58 %, whereas for “stressed” boreal conditions a missing OH reactivity of 89% was determined. Various sources of not quantified OH reactive species are proposed as possible explanation for the high missing OH reactivity.

This paper describes the background, instrumentation, goals, and the regional influences on the HUMPPACOPEC intensive field measurement campaign, conducted at the Boreal forest research station SMEAR II (Station for Measuring Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relation) in Hyyti¨al¨a, Finland from 12 July–12 August 2010. The prevailing meteorological conditions during the campaign are examined and contrasted with those of the past six years. Back trajectory analyses show that meteorological conditions at the site in 2010 were characterized by a higher proportion of southerly flow than in the other years studied. As a result the summer of 2010 was anomalously warm and high in ozone making the campaign relevant for the analysis of possible future climates. A comprehensive land use analysis, provided on both 5 and 50 km scales, shows that the main vegetation types surrounding the site on both the regional and local scales are: coniferous forest (Scots pine and/or Norway spruce); mixed forest (Birch and conifers); and woodland scrub (e.g. Willows, Aspen); indicating that the campaign results can be taken as representative of the Boreal forest ecosystem. In addition to the influence of biogenic emissions, the measurement site was occasionally impacted by sources other than vegetation. Specific tracers have been used here to identify the time periods when such sources have impacted the site namely: biomass burning (acetonitrile and CO), urban anthropogenic pollution (pentane and SO2) and the nearby Korkeakoski sawmill (enantiomeric ratio of chiral monoterpenes). None of these sources dominated the study period, allowing the Boreal forest summertime emissions to be assessed and contrasted with various other source signatures.

Using a Large-Eddy Simulation model, we have systematically studied the inability of boundary layer turbulence to efficiently mix reactive species. This creates regions where the species are accumulated in a correlated or anti-correlated way, thereby modifying the mean reactivity. We quantify this modification by the intensity of segregation, IS, and analyse the driving mechanisms: heterogeneity of the surface moisture and heat fluxes, various background wind patterns and non-uniform isoprene emissions. The heterogeneous surface conditions are characterized by cool and wet forested patches with high isoprene emissions, alternated with warm and dry patches that represents pasture with relatively low isoprene emissions. For typical conditions in the Amazon rain forest, applying homogeneous surface forcings and in the absence of free tropospheric NOx, the isoprene-OH reaction rate is altered by less than 10%. This is substantially smaller than the previously assumed IS of 50% in recent large-scale model analyses of tropical rain forest chemistry. Spatial heterogeneous surface emissions enhance the segregation of species, leading to alterations of the chemical reaction rates up to 20%. The intensities of segregation are enhanced when the background wind direction is parallel to the borders between the patches and reduced in the case of a perpendicular wind direction. The effects of segregation on trace gas concentrations vary per species. For the highly reactive OH, the differences in concentration averaged over the boundary layer are less than 2% compared to homogeneous surface conditions, while the isoprene concentration is increased by as much as 12% due to the reduced chemical reaction rates. These processes take place at the sub-grid scale of chemistry transport models and therefore need to be parameterized.

The current version of the Dutch Atmospheric Large-Eddy Simulation (DALES) is presented. DALES is a large-eddy simulation code designed for studies of the physics of the atmospheric boundary layer, including convective and stable boundary layers as well as cloudy boundary layers. In addition, DALES can be used for studies of more specific cases, such as flow over sloping or heterogeneous terrain, and dispersion of inert and chemically active species. This paper contains an extensive description of the physical and numerical formulation of the code, and gives an overview of its applications and accomplishments in recent years.

During the West African monsoon season, precipitation is strongly coupled to soil moisture availability. This interaction is generally understood as a positive feedback mechanism, and has been considered on very different spatial and temporal scales. Past research has mainly focused on this feedback in terms of the effects on general precipitation patterns, not on a single convective system. In this research, a single squall line is reproduced using the Weather Research and Forecasting Advanced Research (WRF-ARW) mesoscale weather model. Model results are analyzed and compared with surface and upper-air observations. A sensitivity analysis on the influence of soil moisture on the squall line is performed through five numerical experiments. In four experiments, soil moisture is increased or decreased with respect to a control experiment. This is done in two manners: by affecting soil moisture most strongly in the wetter places in the modelled domain and by affecting soil moisture most strongly in the drier places. Minor deviations occur in the path of the squall line after modifying soil moisture most strongly in the wetter places. Systematic deviations occur in its path after increasing soil moisture most strongly in the drier places. A mechanism is proposed that connects the applied soil moisture modifications to larger-scale flow patterns that determine the path of the squall line. In all five experiments, the precipitation intensity of the squall line strongly declines when the system moves towards western areas with lower soil moisture values. It is concluded that a positive effect of local soil moisture on precipitation intensity in passing squall lines is likely on the considered length-scale of 100 km. Until now, this mechanism has only been shown for much smaller spatial scales.

Tropical rain forest chemistry is driven by the exchange of biogenic compounds, dynamic processes like turbulent mixing and the diurnal variability of the atmospheric boundary layer. The segregation of species due to inefficient turbulent mixing has recently been recognized as a possible relevant dynamic influence that could explain the large discrepancies between observations and simulations of reactive trace gas concentrations over the tropical rain forest. The inability of turbulence to mix the species leads to correlated or anti-correlated accumulations of the reacting species, therefore modifying the boundary layer mean reactivity. In order to make observations comply with large scale model results, chemists currently assume ad hoc values of the intensity of segregation that correspond to a substantial decrease in the isoprene-OH reaction rate. We will present numerical experiments with a large-eddy simulation (LES) model that are based on typical dynamic and chemistry conditions in the Amazonian rain forest. With a chemistry module coupled to the LES, we examine the main processes that control the species segregation. Our results indicate that the influence of segregation is negligible in a typical situation for the Amazonian rain forest characterized by uniform emission conditions. Finally we will present the potential enhancement of segregation due to spatially heterogeneous surface emissions. In these simulations, spatial segregation is induced by introducing heterogeneities in the surface properties: a cold and wet forested patch characterized by high isoprene emissions is alternated with a warm and dry patch, representing pasture with relatively low biogenic emissions

Decreasing trends in pan evaporation are widely observed across the world as a response of the climate system to changes in temperature, precipitation, incoming radiation and wind speed. Nevertheless, we only partially understand how trends in actual evapotranspiration are linked to those trends. Here, we use a model to show that regulation of the near-surface temperature and humidity by land-atmosphere feedbacks results in a strong connection between pan evaporation, actual evapotranspiration and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) depending on the climate forcings. When climate change occurs, the feedbacks direct the system towards a different combination of the three variables. If we know the trends in pan evaporation, VPD and wind speed, we can therefore infer the change in the forcings and estimate the trend in actual evapotranspiration.

In spite of the strict EU regulations, concentrations of surface ozone and PM10 often exceed the pollution standards for the Netherlands and Europe. Their concentrations are controlled by (precursor) emissions, social and economic developments and a complex combination of meteorological actors. This study tackles the latter, and provides insight in the meteorological processes that play a role in O3 and PM10 levels in rural mid-latitudes sites in the Netherlands. The relations between meteorological actors and air quality are studied on a local scale based on observations from four rural sites and are determined by a comprehensive correlation analysis and a multiple regression (MLR) analysis in 2 modes, with and without air quality variables as predictors. Furthermore, the objective Lamb Weather Type approach is used to assess the influence of the large-scale circulation on air quality. Keeping in find its future use in downscaling future climate scenarios for air quality purposes, special emphasis is given to an appropriate selection of the regressor variables readily available from operational meteorological forecasts or AOGCMs (Atmosphere-Ocean coupled General Circulation Models). The regression models perform satisfactory, especially for O3, with an R2 of 57.0% and 25.0% for PM10. Including previous day air quality information increases significantly the models performance by 15% (O3) and 18% (PM10). The Lamb weather types show a seasonal distinct pattern for high (low) episodes of average O3 and PM10 concentrations, and these are clear related with the meteorology-air quality correlation analysis. Although using a circulation type approach can provide important additional physical relations forward, our analysis reveals the circulation method is limited in terms of short-term air quality forecast for both O3 and PM10 (R2 between 0.12 and 23%). In summary, it is concluded that the use of a regression model is more promising for short-term downscaling from climate scenarios than the use of a weather type classification approach. ispartof: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions vol:9 issue:8 pages:2695-2714 status: published

The influence of dry-air entrainment on surface heat fluxes and the convective boundary-layer (CBL) properties is studied for vegetated land surfaces, using a mixed-layer CBL model coupled to the Penman¿Monteith equation under a wide range of conditions. In order to address the complex behaviour of the system, the feedback mechanisms involved were put into a mathematical framework. Simple expressions for the evaporative fraction and the Priestley¿Taylor parameter were derived, based on the concept of equilibrium evaporation. Dry-air entrainment enhances the surface evaporation under all conditions, but the sensitivity of the evaporation rate to the moisture content of the free troposphere falls as temperature rises. Due to the evaporation enhancement, shallower CBLs develop beneath dry atmospheres. In all cases, dry-air entrainment reduces the relative humidity at the land surface and at the top of the CBL. However, because of dry-air entrainment-induced land¿atmosphere feedback mechanisms, relative humidity at the top of the CBL responds nonlinearly to temperature rise; it decreases as temperature rises beneath a moist free troposphere, whereas it increases beneath a dry free troposphere. Finally, it was found that in certain conditions the evolution of the surface fluxes, relative humidity and CBL height can be as sensitive to the free tropospheric moisture conditions as to the land-surface properties. Therefore, studies of the land surface and of convective clouds have to take into account the influence of dry-air entrainment through land¿atmosphere feedback mechanisms

Shallow cumuli over land are normally studied from a diurnal perspective. However, the thermodynamic vertical profiles of the morning transition may play an important role in setting up favourable conditions for the formation of shallow cumuli. In turn, these profiles are highly dependent on the evolution of the nocturnal boundary characteristics and of their layer aloft. By analysing thermodynamic profiles measured by radiosondes launched every three hours at four different stations, we are able to determine how horizontal advection and turbulent mixing modify the atmospheric stability and the differences in potential temperature and specific humidity at the interface between the atmospheric boundary layer and the layer above it. Two consecutive nights are studied. They show very similar boundary-layer development; but variations in the layer aloft by a low-level-jet advection event during the second night, and intense turbulent mechanical mixing, lead to the development of two diurnal boundary layers with very different characteristics: the first one clear, the second cloudy. To complete the observational study, we perform a sensitivity analysis using a mixed-layer model to examine the role of the morning initial conditions in the formation of shallow cumuli over land. The complexity and subtlety of the observed situation - namely, the interaction of a strongly-mixed nocturnal boundary layer and horizontal advection - make this case suitable for testing the capacity of mesoscale models to reproduce cloudy boundary layers that are largely dependent on conditions during the previous night.

Boundary layer dynamics and surface processes control the daily evolution of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the fair weather boundary layer. An important process in CO2 diurnal variability is the CO2 exchange between the atmospheric boundary layer and the free atmosphere. This CO2 exchange process depends largely on the initial boundary layer and the boundary layer development. Two convective boundary layers are studied: Cabauw (the Netherlands, RECAB exp) and Beaumont (USA, CASES-97 exp). Both sites are characterized by grass vegetation. Data from these sites is analyzed. In addition, mixed-layer theory and a Large-Eddy simulation model is used to study the evolution of the mean and CO2 flux vertical profiles. Potential temperature, specific humidity and their exchanges are also studied as these variables are important for the development of the boundary layer. The model results show that the CO2 exchange can be important in the evolution and distribution of CO2 in the atmospheric boundary layer. The exchange fluxes ranged between 0% and 100% of the surfaceflux values. Also, it is revealed that the initial CO2 concentration discontinuity has an important role in determining the exchange of CO2. Especially in the morning this exchange can have a large impact on the CO2 diurnal variability.

The role played by planetary boundary layer (PBL) in the development and evolution of a severe convective storm is studied by means of meso-scale modeling and surface and upper air observations. The severe convective precipitation event that occurred on 14 September 1999 in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula was simulated by means of the mesoscale model MM5 (version 3) using three different PBL schemes. The numerical results show a large impact of the PBL schemes on the precipitation fields associated to the convective storm. The schemes are based on different physical assumptions: the nonlocal first order Medium-Range Forecast (MRF) and Blackadar (BLA) scheme and the local, one-and-a-half order ETA scheme. Surface and radar observations are used to validate the model results. The comparison focuses on three aspects: the evolution, the spatial distribution and the 24-h accumulated precipitation. The comparison with rain gauge observations shows that the MRF, BLA and ETA schemes predicted most of the precipitation during the morning, whereas the rain gauge stations recorded rainfall during the evening. The evaluation performed with the radar data shows that all three numerical simulations produced a realistic spatial accumulated precipitation distribution. According to the quantity distribution, all three numerical simulations were able to predict precipitation quantities comparable to the rain gauge measurements. The MRF scheme predicted the largest average accumulated precipitation and the largest average precipitation rate, whereas the ETA scheme predicted the smallest accumulated precipitation and average precipitation rate. However, the ETA scheme yielded the highest extreme precipitation rates. The performance of the three schemes is analyzed in terms of the vertical distribution of potential temperature, specific humidity and conserved variables, like equivalent potential temperature and total water content. The MRF scheme showed more evidence of enhanced mixing than did the other schemes. Due to this process, more moisture was more efficiently transported to the free atmosphere. Consequently, the MRF scheme predicts more widespread precipitation. Furthermore, the enhanced mixing led to a less sharp capping inversion. However, the stronger inversion resulting from suppressed mixing processes in the case of the ETA scheme yielded higher values of convective available potential energy (CAPE) than did the other two schemes. Consequently, the more extreme precipitation rates are simulated by MM5 when the ETA scheme is used.