Boundary Conditions and Surface Forcings

Abstract

Without a bottom boundary on the atmosphere there would be no boundary layer. Friction at the surface slows the wind, and heat and moisture fluxes from the surface modify the state of the boundary layer. The heat and moisture fluxes are driven, in turn, by the external forcings such as radiation from the sun or transpiration from plants. Forcings across the top of the boundary layer also alter mean characteristics within it.