No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The uncertainty in the determination of the momentum and scalar fluxes remains one of the main obstacles to accurate numerical forecasts in low to moderate wind conditions. For example, latent heat fluxes computed from data using direct covariance and bulk aerodynamic methods show that there is good agreement in unstable conditions when the latent heat flux values are generally positive. However, the agreement is relatively poor in stable conditions, particularly when the moisture flux is directed downward. If the direct covariance measurements are indeed accurate, then they clearly indicate that the bulk aerodynamic formula overestimate the downward moisture flux in stable conditions. As a result, comparisons of the Dalton number for unstable and stable conditions indicate a marked difference in value between the two stability regimes. Investigations done for this thesis used data taken primarily at the Air-Sea Interaction Tower (ASIT) during the Coupled Boundary Layers and Air-Sea Transfer (CBLAST) Experiment 2003 from the 20-27 August 2003. Other data from the shore based Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory (MVCO) and moored buoys in the vicinity of the ASIT were also incorporated. During this eight day period, the boundary layer was often characterized by light winds, a stably stratified surface layer and a swell dominated wave field. Additionally, the advection of warm moist air over cooler water resulted in fog formation and a downward flux of moisture on at least three occasions. Therefore, a primary objective of this thesis is to present a case study to investigate the cause of this shortcoming in the bulk formula under these conditions by examining the physical processes that are unique to these boundary layers. Particular attention will be paid to the behavior of the Dalton number in a stable marine atmospheric boundary layer under foggy conditions using insights derived from the study of fog formation and current flux parameterization methods.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 117-126).

Eight years (1980-87) of twice-daily high-resolution radiosonde data from a tropical mid-Pacific island station are analyzed to generate time series of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) top pressure, an ageostrophic parameter (related to the divergence), and a parameter of mean PBL specific humidity. Sample spectra of these time series are calculated along with a spectra for nighttime outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) data (centered at a gridpoint near the island station) and compared in order to investigate the relationship between the ageostrophy and dynamical phenomena of the tropical Pacific. Methods of boundary layer top diagnosis are compared. Data derived methods include temperature inversion detection, humidity jump detection, and wind shear detection. The model based diagnosis method uses a Richardson number scheme. Comparisons between data derived methods and model based methods show good agreement. Correlation coefficients for comparisons are all above 0.91. In each sample spectra, the dominant peak corresponds to the frequency of the annual cycle. With an estimated annual cycle removed from each of the time series the nighttime (12 GMT) sample spectra for PBL top pressure shows a peak at a frequency that corresponds to the 30-60 day Intraseasonal Oscillation (ISO). Removal of an estimated annual cycle was unsuccessful for the daytime (0 GMT) sample spectra for PBL top pressure, PBL mean specific humidity, and the ageostrophic parameter. Sample spectra of the ageostrophic parameter show peaks in the ISO frequency range for both 12 GMT and 0 GMT even before removal of the annual cycle was attempted. The ISO range peaks remained in the 12 GMT ageostrophic parameter spectrum when the annual cycle was successfully removed. The nighttime OLR spectrum is dominated by the annual cycle peak and its harmonics. The OLR spectrum also shows a significant peak in the ISO range of periods. Removal of an estimated annual cycle intensifies the peak in the ISO range. The ageostrophic parameter time series is compared to the results of an EOF analysis performed on the same 8 years of radiosonde humidity measurements. The first three EOF modes of specific humidity give sample spectra which are dominated by the annual cycle. With the annual cycle removed the sample spectra of the first and third EOF modes of specific humidity both show significant peaks in the ISO frequency range, while the second EOF mode sample spectrum is dominated by two peaks at frequencies corresponding to periods of approximately 4 and 5 months. The presence of common frequencies in the ISO range of the power spectra of the ageostrophic parameter (a measure of divergence), the nighttime OLR (a measure of deep convection), the nighttime planetary boundary layer top, and the first EOF mode of specific humidity, lends support to theories that relate the ISO to the interaction of dynamics and moist processes. / Graduation date: 1995

Thesis (M.S.)--Joint Program in Oceanography/ Applied Ocean Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 70-72).

No description available.

No description available.

While most micrometeorological measurement techniques are only suitable for windy conditions, the Nocturnal Boundary Layer Technique can be used to measure trace gas flux during calm, clear nights as the nighttime stability enables gas emitted at the ground to accumulate. The difference between two measurements over the whole depth of this layer is believed to integrate emissions from a large area representative of, in this study, an agricultural farm. A tethersonde and infrared gas analyzer attached to a blimp carrying a bag sampling system monitored atmospheric variables for each ascent during two summer field campaigns. A mini-SODAR was installed in the field to obtain the wind flowfield. Strong accumulation was observed under low level jets suggesting that this feature acts as a good lid for trace gases. An average background vertical motion different from zero seemed to have more influence on gas propagation than did intermittent turbulence. On at least one night, a density current created by the nearby St-Lawrence River was observed to influence measurements.