Role of Residual Layer in Controlling Diurnal ABL Evolution

One dimensional models of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) represent the ABL's diurnal evolution by a simple set of differential equations, and analytical solutions can be derived with further simplification of initial conditions. The Residual Layer (RL) is one of the more important aspects of the initial conditions. However, RL depth and inversion strength are often difficult to estimate from radiosounding profiles, and such initial conditions are often ignored in most 1-D ABL models. In this study, similarity theory was used to help identify empirical relationships between ABL height and related variables, including RL depth and inversion strength. Parameters were calibrated by numeric simulations from a 1-D ABL model. The calibrated relationships were also tested by measurements from Central Facility, Southern Great Plains, US. The relationships among maximum ABL height and RL are simple and analytical and may be useful as a tool to further study of ABL.