A review and comparative evaluation of multilevel boundary layer parameterizations for first‐order and turbulent kinetic energy closure schemes

Abstract

Multilevel parameterizations of the atmospheric boundary layer using first‐order and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) closure schemes are reviewed. Eleven schemes, chosen as representative of both first‐order and TKE closure, are then used for comparison in a one‐dimensional barotropic planetary boundary layer model. TKE closure schemes evaluated are the E‐ε schemes in which eddy viscosity Km is determined from turbulent kinetic energy and energy dissipation ε and the l model schemes in which Km is determined from TKE and mixing length l. Comparison of model simulations of mean and turbulence structure for first‐order closure and TKE closure schemes to observational data (MONEX79) is given. The two main conclusions drawn from this comparison are that (1) the mean structure of the boundary layer is fairly insensitive to the type of closure scheme, given that the scheme properly accounts for turbulent boundary layer mixing, and (2) TKE closure is preferable to first‐order closure in predicting the overall turbulence structure of the boundary layer. Among the TKE schemes compared in this paper, the modified Detering and Etling (1985) scheme is preferred.

The role of urban boundary layer investigated with high-resolution models and ground-based observations in Rome area: a step towards understanding parameterization potentialities

“…The accuracy of the PBL schemes affects forecasts of both local and large-scale meteorological phenomena (Hacker and Snyder, 2005). It has been demonstrated, moreover, that the representation of characteristics of the PBL is more or less sensitive to different parameterizations, depending on whether one considers the mean or turbulent structure of the layer (Holt and Raman, 1988).…”

On the length‐scale of the wind profile

“…However, the length-scales are determined from two additional equations, so it becomes less transparent and not easily comparable to the lengthscales in this study. The latter approach is often termed one-and-a-half-order closure (Mellor and Yamada, 1974;Detering and Etling, 1985;Apsley and Castro, 1997) and is known to provide a more realistic representation of the turbulence than first-order models (Holt and Raman, 1988).…”

Influence of the Planetary Boundary Layer Physics on Medium-range Prediction of Monsoon over India

“…Moreover, since this theory is based on the assumptions of linear gradients, it may be valid only close to the ground. An improvement in the simplicity of first-order closure is a scheme in which the turbulent nature of the atmosphere is taken into account for the determination of the eddy diffusivity (BEL-JAARS et al, 1987;DETERING and ETLING, 1985;KITADA, 1987;HOLT and RAMAN, 1988). It has been demonstrated by SHARAN and GOPALAKRISHNAN (1997), that in a one-dimensional model TKE closure has an edge over the other simpler closure schemes for producing the essential features of a stable boundary layer.…”

“…It is found that a strong low-level wind (at about 850 hPa) with substantial moisture fluxes from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal assists monsoon depressions to remain active during the passage over land parallel to the monsoon trough axis. Another factor could be the surface soil moisture gradients which contribute to sensible heat flux gradients (RAMAN et al, 1988).…”