Marine boundary layer structure as observed by A-train satellites
The marine boundary layer (MBL) structure is important to the marine low cloud processes, and the exchange of heat, momentum, and moisture between oceans and the low atmosphere. This study examines the MBL structure over the eastern Pacific region and further explores the controlling factors of M...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2016-05-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/16/5891/2016/acp-16-5891-2016.pdf |
| Summary: | The marine boundary layer (MBL) structure is important to the marine low
cloud processes, and the exchange of heat, momentum, and moisture between
oceans and the low atmosphere. This study examines the MBL structure over the
eastern Pacific region and further explores the controlling factors of MBL
structure over the global oceans with a new 4-year satellite-based data set.
The MBL top (boundary layer height, BLH) and the mixing layer height (MLH) were identified using the
MBL aerosol lidar backscattering from the CALIPSO (Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations). Results showed that the MBL is
generally decoupled with MLH ∕ BLH ratio ranging from ∼ 0.5 to
∼ 0.8 over the eastern Pacific Ocean region. The MBL decoupling
magnitude is mainly controlled by estimated inversion strength (EIS), which
in turn controls the cloud top entrainment process. The systematic
differences between drizzling and non-drizzling stratocumulus tops also show
dependence on EIS. This may be related to the meso-scale circulations or
gravity wave in the MBL. Further analysis indicates that the MBL shows a
similar decoupled structure for clear-sky and cumulus-cloud-topped
conditions, but is better mixed under stratiform cloud breakup and overcast
conditions. |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |