The Amazonian Boundary Layer and Mesoscale Circulations

Abstract

The interactions between the Amazonian boundary layer, the surface, atmospheric convection, aerosols, and larger-scale circulations are complex. The field experiments in Amazonia have provided rich insights into the daytime and nighttime boundary layer in different regions and seasons over both forest and pasture and into the coupling between the surface fluxes, the boundary layer, precipitation, and cloud radiative forcing. We discuss the typical diurnal cycle of Amazonian convection, the self-organization into mesoscale systems in different synoptic regimes, and the role of forest and river breeze circulations. We review the coupling between aerosols, smoke, and convection in the dry season; ozone transports by deep convection; and microphysical and electrical impacts on convection.