Modelling internal boundary-layer development in a region with a complex coastline

Ekaterina Batchvarova*, Xiaoming Cai, Sven Erik Gryning, Douw Steyn

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to test the ability of two quite different models to simulate the combined spatial and temporal variability of the internal boundary layer in an area of complex terrain and coastline during one day. The simple applied slab model of Gryning and Batchvarova, and the Colorado State University Regional Atmospheric Modelling System (CSU-RAMS) are tested by comparison with data gathered during a field study (called Pacific '93) of photochemical pollution in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada. The data utilised here are drawn from tethered balloon flights, free flying balloon ascents, and downlooking lidar operated from an aircraft flown at roughly 3500 m above sea level. Both models are found to represent the temporal and spatial development of the internal boundary-layer depth over the Lower Fraser Valley very well, and reproduce many of the finer details revealed by the measurements.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-20
Number of pages20
JournalBoundary-Layer Meteorology
Volume90
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1999

Keywords

  • Airborne lidar measurements
  • Applied slab model
  • Complex coastline
  • Internal boundary layer
  • Lower Fraser Valley
  • Mesoscale numerical modelling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atmospheric Science

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