Moist Boundary Layer under a Mid-latitude Weather System

Mid-latitude weather systems are key contributors to the transport of atmospheric water vapour, but less is known about the role of the boundary layer in this transport. We expand a conceptual model of dry boundary-layer structure under synoptic systems to include moist processes, using idealised si...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Boundary-layer meteorology 2010-03, Vol.134 (3), p.367-386
Main Authors: Boutle, I. A, Beare, R. J, Belcher, S. E, Brown, A. R, Plant, R. S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospheric boundary layer
Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution
Atmospheric Sciences
Boundaries
Boundary layer
Climatology
Convection, turbulence, diffusion. Boundary layer structure and dynamics
Cyclone waves
Cyclones
Dynamical systems
Dynamics
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Hydrology
Meteorology
Moisture
Moisture cycle
Synoptically-forced boundary layer
Transport
Weather
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Summary:Mid-latitude weather systems are key contributors to the transport of atmospheric water vapour, but less is known about the role of the boundary layer in this transport. We expand a conceptual model of dry boundary-layer structure under synoptic systems to include moist processes, using idealised simulations of cyclone waves to investigate the three-way interaction between the boundary layer, atmospheric moisture and large-scale dynamics. Forced by large-scale thermal advection, boundary-layer structures develop over large areas, analogous to the daytime convective boundary layer, the nocturnal stable boundary layer and transitional regimes between these extremes. A budgeting technique demonstrates the key role of boundary-layer processes in the transport of moisture. Moisture is evaporated from the ocean behind the cold front and in the high-pressure part of the wave, and transported large distances within the boundary layer into the footprint of the warm-conveyor belt. The warm-conveyor belt forms one of the two main processes of boundary-layer ventilation, with shallow cumulus convection being of similar importance.
ISSN:0006-8314
1573-1472
DOI:10.1007/s10546-009-9452-9