Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Its Parameterization

Abstract

Mean flow and turbulence structure of atmospheric boundary layers over homogeneous surfaces is discussed. The basic concepts of static and dynamic stability, together with the relevant stability criteria and parameters are described. Fundamentals of turbulence are introduced with simpler gradient transport and similarity theories. Finally, methods of estimating or parameterizing surface fluxes of momentum and heat, mixing height, wind distribution and turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer for applications to atmospheric circulation and dispersion modeling are discussed. These are largely based on similarity theory relations with input from field experiments and observations.