Determining Height of the Nocturnal Boundary Layer

Abstract

Theories and formulations for determining heights of the stable atmospheric boundary layer are reviewed. The performance of prognostic and diagnostic equations for parameterizing the nocturnal boundary layer heights are evaluated with observational data taken from the Wangara field experiment. The observed boundary layer heights are correlated with the values specified by the prognostic and diagnostic equations. It is concluded that use of the prognostic equations is very unsatisfactory. The diagnostic formulas are found to be appropriate, however, only during slightly and extremely stable conditions. None of the diagnostic formulas appears useful for other stability classes.