Parameterization of Sheared Entrainment in a Well-Developed CBL.Part I:Evaluation of the Scheme through Large-Eddy Simulations

The entrainment flux ratio Ae and the inversion layer （IL） thickness are two key parameters in a mixed layer model. Ae is defined as the ratio of the entrainment heat flux at the mixed layer top to the surface heat flux. The IL is the layer between the mixed layer and the free atmosphere. In this study, a parameterization of Ae is derived from the TKE budget in the first- order model for a well-developed CBL under the condition of linearly sheared geostrophic velocity with a zero value at the surface. It is also appropriate for a CBL under the condition of geostrophic velocity remaining constant with height. LESs are conducted under the above two conditions to determine the coefficients in the parameterization scheme. Results suggest that about 43% of the shear-produced TKE in the IL is available for entrainment, while the shear-produced TKE in the mixed layer and surface layer have little effect on entrainment. Based on this scheme, a new scale of convective turbulence velocity is proposed and applied to parameterize the IL thickness, The LES outputs for the CBLs under the condition of linearly sheared geostrophic velocity with a non-zero surface value are used to verify the performance of the parameterization scheme. It is found that the parameterized Ae and IL thickness agree well with the LES outputs.

Parameterization of Sheared Entrainment in a Well-developed CBL.PartⅡ:A Simple Model for Predicting the Growth Rate of the CBL

Following the parameterization of sheared entrainment obtained in the companion paper, Liu et al. （2016）, the present study aims to further investigate the characteristics of entrainment, and develop a simple model for predicting the growth rate of a well-developed and sheared CBL. The relative stratification, defined as the ratio of the stratification in the free atmosphere to that in the entrainment zone, is found to be a function of entrainment flux ratio （Ae）. This leads to a simple expression of the entrainment rate, in which Ae needs to be parameterized. According to the results in Liu et al. （2016）, Ae can be simply expressed as the ratio of the convective velocity scale in the sheared CBL to that in the shear-free CBL. The parameterization of the convective velocity scale in the sheared CBL is obtained by analytically solving the bulk model with several assumptions and approximations. Results indicate that the entrainment process is influenced by the dynamic effect, the interaction between mean shear and environmental stratification, and one other term that includes the Coriolis effect. These three parameterizations constitute a simple model for predicting the growth rate of a well-developed and sheared CBL. This model is validated by outputs of LESs, and the results show that it performs satisfactorily. Compared with bulk models, this model does not need to solve a set of equations for the CBL. It is more convenient to apply in numerical models.

Improving the WRF/urban modeling system in China by developing a national urban dataset

Accurate modeling of urban climate is essential to predict potential environmental risks in cities.Urban datasets,such as urban land use and urban canopy parameters(UCPs),are key input data for urban climate models and largely affect their performance.However,access to reliable urban datasets is a challenge,especially in fast urbanizing countries.In this study,we developed a high-resolution national urban dataset in China(NUDC)for the WRF/urban modeling system and evaluated its effect on urban climate modeling.Specifically,an optimization method based on building morphology was proposed to classify urban land use types.The key UCPs,including building height and width,street width,surface imperviousness,and anthropogenic heat flux,were calculated for both single-layer Urban Canopy Model(UCM)and multiple-layer Building Energy Parameterization(BEP).The results show that the derived morphological-based urban land use classification could better reflect the urban characteristics,compared to the socioeconomic-function-based classification.The UCPs varied largely in spatial within and across the cities.The integration of the developed urban land use and UCPs datasets significantly improved the representation of urban canopy characteristics,contributing to a more accurate modeling of near-surface air temperature,humidity,and wind in urban areas.The UCM performed better in the modeling of air temperature and humidity,while the BEP performed better in the modeling of wind speed.The newly developed NUDC can advance the study of urban climate and improve the prediction of potential urban environmental risks in China.

Characteristics of Boundary Layer Structure during a Persistent Haze Event in the Central Liaoning City Cluster, Northeast China

The characteristics of boundary layer structure during a persistent regional haze event over the central Liaoning city cluster of Northeast China from 16 to 21 December 2016 were investigated based on the measurements of particulate matter（PM） concentration and the meteorological data within the atmospheric boundary layer（ABL）. During the observational period, the maximum hourly mean PM_（2.5） and PM10 concentrations in Shenyang, Anshan, Fushun, and Benxi ranged from 276 to 355 μg m–3 and from 378 to 442 μg m–3, respectively, and the lowest hourly mean atmospheric visibility（VIS） in different cities ranged from 0.14 to 0.64 km. The central Liaoning city cluster was located in the front of a slowly moving high pressure and was mainly controlled by southerly winds. Wind speed（WS） within the ABL（〈 2 km） decreased significantly and WS at 10-m height mostly remained below 2 m s–1 during the hazy episodes, which was favorable for the accumulation of air pollutants. A potential temperature inversion layer existed throughout the entire ABL during the earlier hazy episode [from 0500 Local Time（LT） 18 December to 1100 LT 19 December], and then a potential temperature inversion layer developed with the bottom gradually decreased from 900 m to 300 m. Such a stable atmospheric stratification further weakened pollutant dispersion. The atmospheric boundary layer height（ABLH） estimated based on potential temperature profiles was mostly lower than 400 m and varied oppositely with PM_（2.5） in Shenyang. In summary, weak winds due to calm synoptic conditions, strong thermal inversion layer, and shallow atmospheric boundary layer contributed to the formation and development of this haze event.The backward trajectory analysis revealed the sources of air masses and explained the different characteristics of the haze episodes in the four cities.