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Evolution of boundary layer height in response to surface and mesoscale forcing

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / This thesis study focuses on understanding the dissipation processes of the stratocumulus deck after sunrise. This objective is met through careful analyses of observational data as well as model simulations. Measurements from the Marine Atmosphere Measurement Lab (MAML) of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) are used in this study. In particular, the half-hourly wind profiler/Radio Acoustic Sounding System (RASS) measurements were used to determine the boundary layer top and the evolution of the boundary layer mean thermodynamic properties during the cloud breakup period. Measurements from a laser ceilometer and the routine surface measurements are also used to detect the variation of cloud base height, the evolution of the cloud deck, and the onset of sea breeze. These measurements revealed the increase of the boundary layer depth after sunrise followed by a decrease of the boundary layer depth after the onset of the sea breeze, which points to the role of surface heating and sea breeze development in modulating cloud evolution. The effects of surface heating and sea breeze are further tested using a 1-dimensional mixed layer model modified for coastal land surfaces. / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:nps.edu/oai:calhoun.nps.edu:10945/2217
Date03 1900
CreatorsMoore, Matthew J.
ContributorsWang, Qing, Nuss, Wendell A., Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)., Department of Meteorology
PublisherMonterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Source SetsNaval Postgraduate School
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Formatxiv, 59 p. : col. ill., application/pdf
RightsThis publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. As such, it is in the public domain, and under the provisions of Title 17, United States Code, Section 105, may not be copyrighted.

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