Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Multi-scale Transport Processes Observed in the Boundary Layer over a Mountainous Island

  • Article
  • Published:
Boundary-Layer Meteorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Over complex terrain, convection and thermally-driven circulations simultaneously occur under fair weather conditions during the day. To investigate these processes on the basis of observations, simultaneous measurements on different scales are necessary. Comprehensive measurements with the mobile observation platform KITcube were performed on the mountainous island of Corsica during the HYdrological cycle in Mediterranean EXperiment (HyMeX) field campaign in late summer and autumn 2012. Using a case study, the benefit of integrated measurement systems and coordinated scan strategies was demonstrated, and experimental evidence of, and new insights into, convective and advective transport processes in a valley were obtained. Convection, thermally-driven circulations and topographic and advective venting led to the diurnal cycle of temperature, humidity and wind over complex terrain in the mountain atmospheric boundary layer (mountain ABL), which was deeper than an ABL over homogeneous terrain under equal surface forcing. Due to the combined transport processes on different scales, the mountain ABL in a valley also extended beyond the convection layer, which was characterized by surface-based, buoyancy-driven turbulent mixing. Strong subsidence, with a vertical velocity of about 1 m s\(^{-1}\), was present within the mountain ABL for several hours around noon and suppressed the convection-layer growth. Above the layer with subsidence, elevated vertical motions, consisting of alternating updrafts and downdrafts, occurred. Once the convection layer grew to the bottom of the layer with elevated vertical motions, surface-based convective cells occasionally coupled to the elevated updrafts, as a result of which the convection layer rapidly deepened.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arritt RW, Wilczak JM, Young GS (1992) Observations and numerical modeling of an elevated mixed layer. Mon Weather Rev 120(12):2869–2880

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atkinson BW (1981) Meso-scale atmospheric circulations. Academic Press, London, 495 pp

  • Banta RM, Shun CM, Law DC, Brown W, Reinking RF, Hardesty RM, Senff CJ, Brewer WA, Post MJ, Darby LS (2013) Observational techniques: sampling the mountain atmosphere. In: Chow FK, De Wekker SFJ, Snyder BJ (eds) Mountain weather research and forecasting. Springer atmospheric sciences. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 409–530

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bischoff-Gauß I, Kalthoff N, Khodayar S, Fiebig-Wittmaack M, Montecinos S (2008) Model simulations of the boundary-layer evolution over an arid Andes valley. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 128(3):357–379

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buettner KJ, Thyer N (1965) Valley winds in the Mount Rainier area. Archiv für Meteorologie, Geophysik und Bioklimatologie, Serie B 14(2):125–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Y, Zhao C, Zhang Q, Deng Z, Huang M, Ma X (2009) Aircraft study of mountain chimney effect of Beijing, China. J Geophys Res 114(D8):D08306

  • Ching J, Shipley S, Browell E (1988) Evidence for cloud venting of mixed layer ozone and aerosols. Atmos Environ 22(2):225–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corsmeier U, Hankers R, Wieser A (2001) Airborne turbulence measurements in the lower troposphere onboard the research aircraft Dornier 128–6, D-IBUF. Meteorol Z 10(4):315–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crewell S, Löhnert U (2003) Accuracy of cloud liquid water path from ground-based microwave radiometry 2. Sensor accuracy and synergy. Radio Sci 38(3):8042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Wekker SFJ (2002) Structure and morphology of the convective boundary layer in mountainous terrain. PhD Thesis, University of British Columbia

  • De Wekker SFJ (2008) Observational and numerical evidence of depressed convective boundary layer heights near a mountain base. J Appl Meteorol Climatol 47:1017–1026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Wekker SFJ, Steyn D, Nyeki S (2004) A comparison of aerosol-layer and convective boundary-layer structure over a mountain range during STAAARTE’97. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 113(2):249–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drobinski P, Ducrocq V, Alpert P, Anagnostou E, Branger K, Borga M, Braud I, Chanzy A, Davolio S, Delrieu G, Estournel C, Filali Boubrahmi N, Font J, Grubisic V, Gualdi S, Homar V, Ivancan-Picek B, Kottmeier C, Kotroni V, Lagouvardos K, Lionello P, Llasat M, Ludwig W, Lutoff C, Mariotti A, Richard E, Romero R, Rotunno R, Roussot O, Ruin I, Somot S, Taupier-Letage I, Tintore J, Uijlenhoet R, Wernli H (2014) HyMeX, a 10-year multidisciplinary program on the Mediterranean water cycle. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 95:1063–1082

  • Ducrocq V, Braud I, Davolio S, Ferretti R, Flamant C, Jansa A, Kalthoff N, Richard E, Taupier-Letage I, Ayral P-A, Belamari S, Berne A, Borga M, Boudevillain B, Bock O, Boichard J-L, Bouin M-N, Bousquet O, Bouvier C, Chiggiato J, Cimini D, Corsmeier U, Coppola L, Cocquerez P, Defer E, Delanoë J, Di Girolamo P, Doerenbecher A, Drobinski P, Dufournet Y, Fourrié N, Gourley JJ, Labatut L, Lambert D, Le Coz J, Marzano FS, Molini G, Montani A, Nord G, Nuret M, Ramage K, Rison B, Roussot O, Saïd F, Schwarzenboeck A, Testor P, van Baelen J, Vincendon B, Aran M, Tamayo J (2014) HyMeX-SOP1, the field campaign dedicated to heavy precipitation and flash flooding in the northwestern Mediterranean. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 95:1083–1100

  • Fast JD, Zhong S (1998) Meteorological factors associated with inhomogeneous ozone concentrations within the Mexico City basin. J Geophys Res 103(D15):18927–18946

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finkele K (1998) Inland and offshore propagation speeds of a sea breeze from simulations and measurements. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 87(2):307–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garratt JR (1994) The atmospheric boundary layer. Cambridge University Press, UK, 316 pp

  • Gohm A, Harnisch F, Vergeiner J, Obleitner F, Schnitzhofer R, Hansel A, Fix A, Neininger B, Emeis S, Schäfer K (2009) Air pollution transport in an Alpine valley: results from airborne and ground-based observations. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 131(3):441–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henne S, Furger M, Nyeki S, Steinbacher M, Neininger B, De Wekker S, Dommen J, Spichtinger N, Stohl A, Prévôt A (2004) Quantification of topographic venting of boundary layer air to the free troposphere. Atmos Chem Phys 4(2):497–509

  • Henne S, Furger M, Prévôt AS (2005) Climatology of mountain venting-induced elevated moisture layers in the lee of the Alps. J Appl Meteorol 44(5):620–633

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hogan RJ, Grant ALM, Illingworth AJ, Pearson GN (2009) Vertical velocity variance and skewness in clear and cloud-topped boundary layers as revealed by doppler lidar. Q J R Meteorol Soc 135:635–643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalthoff N, Horlacher V, Corsmeier U, Volz-Thomas A, Kolahgar B, Geiß H, Möllmann-Coers M, Knaps A (2000) Influence of valley winds on transport and dispersion of airborne pollutants in the Freiburg–Schauinsland area. J Geophys Res 105(D1):1585–1597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalthoff N, Kohler M, Barthlott C, Adler B, Mobbs S, Corsmeier U, Träumner K, Foken T, Eigenmann R, Krauss L, Khodayar S, Di Girolamo P (2011) The dependence of convection-related parameters on surface and boundary-layer conditions over complex terrain. Q J R Meteorol Soc 137(S1):70–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalthoff N, Adler B, Wieser A, Kohler M, Träumner K, Handwerker J, Corsmeier U, Khodayar S, Lambert D, Kopmann A et al (2013a) KITcube—a mobile observation platform for convection studies deployed during HyMeX. Meteorol Z 22(6):633–647

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalthoff N, Träumner K, Adler B, Späth S, Behrendt A, Wieser A, Handwerker J, Madonna F, Wulfmeyer V (2013b) Dry and moist convection in the boundary layer over the Black Forest—a combined analysis of in situ and remote sensing data. Meteorol Z 22:445–461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khodayar S, Kalthoff N, Fiebig-Wittmaack M, Kohler M (2008) Evolution of the atmospheric boundary-layer structure of an arid Andes valley. Meteorol Atmos Phys 99(3–4):181–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kondo J, Kuwagata T, Haginoya S (1989) Heat budget analysis of nocturnal cooling and daytime heating in a basin. J Atmos Sci 46(19):2917–2933

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kossmann M, Corsmeier U, De Wekker SFJ, Fiedler F, Vögtlin R, Kalthoff N, Güsten H, Neininger B (1999) Observations of handover processes between the atmospheric boundary layer and the free troposphere over mountainous terrain. Contr Atmos Phys 72:329–350

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert D, Mallet M, Ducrocq V, Dulac F, Gheusi F, Kalthoff N (2011) CORSiCA: a Mediterranean atmospheric and oceanographic observatory in Corsica within the framework of HyMeX and ChArMEx. Adv Geosci 26:125–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LeMone MA (1990) Some observations of vertical velocity skewness in the convective planetary boundary layer. J Atmos Sci 47:1163–1169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lenschow DH, Mann J, Kristensen L (1994) How long is long enough when measuring fluxes and other turbulence statistics? J Atmos Oceanic Technol 11:661–673

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Löhnert U, Crewell S (2003) Accuracy of cloud liquid water path from ground-based microwave radiometry 1. Dependency on cloud model statistics. Radio Sci 38(3):8041

  • Lu R, Turco RP (1994) Air pollutant transport in a coastal environment. Part I: two-dimensional simulations of sea-breeze and mountain effects. J Atmos Sci 51(15):2285–2308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGowan HA (2004) Observations of anti-winds in a deep alpine valley, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. Arctic Antarctic Alpine Res 36(4):495–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyeki S, Eleftheriadis K, Baltensperger U, Colbeck I, Fiebig M, Fix A, Kiemle C, Lazaridis M, Petzold A (2002) Airborne lidar and in-situ aerosol observations of an elevated layer, leeward of the European Alps and Apennines. Geophys Res Lett 29(17):33-1–33-4

  • Rampanelli G, Zardi D, Rotunno R (2004) Mechanisms of up-valley winds. J Atmos Sci 61:3097–3111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reuten C, Steyn D, Strawbridge K, Bovis P (2005) Observations of the relation between upslope flows and the convective boundary layer in steep terrain. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 116(1):37–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rotach MW, Zardi D (2007) On the boundary-layer structure over highly complex terrain: key findings from MAP. Q J R Meteorol Soc 133(625):937–948

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rotach MW, Andretta M, Calanca P, Weigel AP, Weiss A (2008) Boundary layer characteristics and turbulent exchange mechanisms in highly complex terrain. Acta Geophys 56:194–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serafin S, Zardi D (2010a) Daytime heat transfer processes related to slope flows and turbulent convection in an idealized mountain valley. J Atmos Sci 67:3739–3756

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serafin S, Zardi D (2010b) Structure of the atmospheric boundary layer in the vicinity of a developing upslope flow system: a numerical model study. J Atmos Sci 67(4):1171–1185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun J, De Wekker SFJ (2011) Atmospheric carbon dioxide transport over mountainous terrain. In: Richards KE (ed) Mountain ecosystems: dynamics, management and conservation, Chap 5. Nova Science Publishers Inc, New York, pp 101–121

  • Träumner K, Kottmeier C, Corsmeier U, Wieser A (2011) Convective boundary-layer entrainment: short review and progress using Doppler lidar. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 141(3):369–391

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker SC, Senff CJ, Weickmann AM, Brewer WA, Banta RM, Sandberg SP, Law DC, Hardesty RM (2009) Doppler lidar estimation of mixing height using turbulence, shear, and aerosol profiles. J Atmos Oceanic Technol 26(4):673–688

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weigel AP, Rotach MW (2004) Flow structure and turbulence characteristics of the daytime atmosphere in a steep and narrow Alpine valley. Q J R Meteorol Soc 130(602):2605–2627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whiteman CD (1982) Breakup of temperature inversions in deep mountain valleys. J Appl Meteorol 21:270–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zardi D, Whiteman C (2013) Diurnal mountain wind systems. In: Chow FK, De Wekker SFJ, Snyder BJ (eds) Mountain weather research and forecasting. Springer atmospheric sciences. Springer, Dordrecht, pp 35–119

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work is a contribution to the HyMeX programme. We would like to thank Veronique Ducrocq from METEO-FRANCE and Evelyne Richard and Dominique Lambert from the University of Toulouse/CNRS for their support in performing the measurements of KITcube on the island of Corsica during HyMeX. We also acknowledge the help of Antoine Pieri from the fire brigade at Corte/University of Corsica and Olivier Pailly from INRA in San Giuliano and thank them for hosting us during the nearly 3-month campaign. We are also grateful to Jan Handwerker, Martin Kohler and Andreas Wieser and the whole IMK team for their efforts in deploying KITcube. We would also like to thank Markus Ramatschi from GFZ Potsdam for installing the GPS stations. We further thank Rolf Hankers and the aircraft team from the University of Braunschweig for performing the aircraft measurements. The authors acknowledge METEO-FRANCE for supplying the data and the HyMeX database teams (ESPRI/IPSL and SEDOO/Observatoire Midi–Pyrénées) for their help in accessing the data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), POB 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Bianca Adler & Norbert Kalthoff

Authors
  1. Bianca Adler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Norbert Kalthoff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bianca Adler.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Adler, B., Kalthoff, N. Multi-scale Transport Processes Observed in the Boundary Layer over a Mountainous Island. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 153, 515–537 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-014-9957-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-014-9957-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation