Boundary Layer Meteorology, 7.5hp
The goal is that the student after this course will have developed a deepened understanding of the fundamental aspects of the turbulent atmospheric planetary boundary layer (PBL) and its effects on the atmosphere and its circulation and on the surface.
Description of the course
We will discuss the different turbulent and mean characteristics of the PBL under various conditions, such as different static stability and wind shear. We will also discuss the effects on the vertical transport and surface exchange of momentum, heat and gases and hence on the rest of the atmosphere and on the Earth's surface. The course includes both theory and turbulence modeling as well as a review of techniques and analysis methods for boundary-layer observations.
How is the course organized?
During this course we will meet a total of 11 times and the key word for these meetings is “informal discussion”. At each meeting we'll start in the morning with a discussion of a select set of papers on a topic that was introduced at the latest meeting. For this discussion to be useful, students are expected to have read these papers in good time before the meeting and must submit questions for discussion and/or clarification at the meeting; at least one question or topic for each student. After a break for lunch there will be an informal introductory lecture for the next meeting given by one of the teachers. This cycle is then repeated for newly introduced topics next time and so on, except for the first time and last times. At the first time there will only be the (intro) lecture and the last time there is only the paper discussion. Both sessions, before and after lunch, are very informal and the discussions together are the most essential, part of the course; open up and you will learn!
Examination
Together with an active participation in the discussions, two practical exercises constitute the examination of the course. The first exercise focus on analysis of field observations of turbulence and the boundary-layer while the second exercise focus on boundary-layer modeling.
Schedule
Autumn semester 2023: The course will start on 8 September and finish on 8 December, usually with sessions 10:00-14:00 on Fridays. See the preliminary session plan below:
2023 Session plan (preliminary)
Exercise deadlines
3 November 8 am: Deadline for exercise 1
8 December 8 am: Deadline for exercise 2
Session topics
All sessions 10:00-14:00 unless otherwise noted
8 September (Will finish earlier than 14:00): Intro to planetary boundary layers (PBLs).
15 September: Lecture on observations (Michael) & Discussion on intro papers
22 September: Discussion on observations & Lecture on similarity theory (Michael)
27 September (NB Wednesday): Discussion on similarity theory & Lecture on neutral & convective PBLs (Michael)
13 October: Discussion on neutral & convective PBL & Lecture on stably stratified PBL (Gunilla) + intro to exercise 1
3 November: Discussion on SBL & Lecture on cloudy and heterogeneous PBL (Michael)
10 November: Discussion on clouds etc & Lecture on Arctic PBL (Michael) + discussion on exercise 1
17 November : Discussion on Arctic PBL & Lecture on PBL modeling (Gunilla) + intro to exercise 2
24 November : Discussion on PBL modeling & Lecture on PBL and climate (Gunilla)
8 December: Discussion on PBL and climate + model exercise + course evaluation
Course Literature
Course literature will be the "Introduction to Boundary-Layer Meteorology" by Roland Stull as background reading while the emphasis is on original scientific papers.
Responsible teacher - contact
Gunilla Svensson (gunilla@misu.su.se)
Senast uppdaterad: 13 juni 2023
Sidansvarig: MISU