Quantifying the Thermodynamic Impacts on the Atmospheric Boundary Layer due to the Sea Breeze in the Coastal Houston Region
Journal Article
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· Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
- Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States)
- Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (United States). Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO); National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Norman, OK (United States). National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL)
- Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is unique in coastal regions because of kinematic and thermodynamic influences from continental and marine environments. Sea-breeze (SB) circulations act to equilibrate the land–sea temperature gradient through advecting marine air onshore. The strength of the SB varies in terms of stability, temperature, and moisture advection and influences air quality and weather forecasts. The Tracking Aerosol Convection Interactions Experiment (TRACER) collected a wealth of data on coastal boundary layer evolution, including observations from uncrewed aerial systems (UASs). Vertical profiles of temperature, humidity, and winds were collected by the OU CopterSonde UAS from June to September in the coastal region of Houston. These profiles offer 5-m vertical resolution, on average, every 30 min through diurnal transitions, SB events, and nearby deep convection. During the campaign, CopterSonde observations were gathered through 17 SB events, six of which led to convection initiation. The UAS data can resolve the thermodynamic evolution and interactions between the SB and the preexisting convective boundary layer. Results show large variability across observed SBs and their impacts on temperature and moisture. The intensity of thermodynamic changes depends on the time of sea-breeze passage and influence from the Galveston Bay Breeze, a secondary marine circulation commonly observed in this region. In quantifying the spectrum of SB impacts, equivalent potential temperature θe is used to contextualize its role in convection initiation and evolution. In conclusion, while all SBs tend to increase θe from moisture advection, the rate and timing of the θe rise can distinguish convective from nonconvective cases.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0021381
- OSTI ID:
- 2572372
- Report Number(s):
- BNL--228316-2025-JAAM
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 64; ISSN 1558-8424; ISSN 1558-8432
- Publisher:
- American Meteorological SocietyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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