Characteristics of a pre-monsoon dryline atmospheric boundary layer over the rain shadow region: A case study

A dryline is the zone of distinct moisture gradient separating warm, moist, and hot, dry air masses. It is usually associated with mesoscale phenomena and plays a significant role in atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) dynamics including initiation of convection/thunderstorms. In the tropical Indian re...

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Main Authors: Raman Solanki, Neelam Malap, K. Gayatri, Y. Jaya Rao, Thara Prabhakaran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-10-01
Series:Frontiers in Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsen.2022.1028587/full
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author Raman Solanki
Neelam Malap
K. Gayatri
Y. Jaya Rao
Thara Prabhakaran
author_facet Raman Solanki
Neelam Malap
K. Gayatri
Y. Jaya Rao
Thara Prabhakaran
author_sort Raman Solanki
collection DOAJ
description A dryline is the zone of distinct moisture gradient separating warm, moist, and hot, dry air masses. It is usually associated with mesoscale phenomena and plays a significant role in atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) dynamics including initiation of convection/thunderstorms. In the tropical Indian region, these dryline conditions are normally associated with the pre-monsoon season. In the present study, dryline characteristics over a rain shadow region in the Indian subcontinent were investigated utilizing observations and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model from 28 to 30 May 2019. Based upon Wind Profiler Radar and MicroWave Radiometer Profiler measurements, the ABL characteristics were investigated. Interestingly, the ABL height was found to evolve up to 5 km with the horizontal wind vectors oscillating between north-westerly and north-easterly flow. During the intense ABL deepening, stronger downdraft cores were observed in comparison with the updraft cores. The stronger downdrafts entrained free-tropospheric dry air thereby further deepening the ABL. Based upon the entrainment velocity estimates at the ABL top and the variations in potential temperature, the dynamic entrainment fluxes were estimated and further implemented for evaluating two slab models to recreate the ABL growth. With this analysis, we demonstrate the significant contribution of entrainment fluxes on ABL growth during dryline conditions.
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spelling doaj.art-dbf47fe000a24549bf75a391b9f0452c2023-01-03T02:10:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Remote Sensing2673-61872022-10-01310.3389/frsen.2022.10285871028587Characteristics of a pre-monsoon dryline atmospheric boundary layer over the rain shadow region: A case studyRaman SolankiNeelam MalapK. GayatriY. Jaya RaoThara PrabhakaranA dryline is the zone of distinct moisture gradient separating warm, moist, and hot, dry air masses. It is usually associated with mesoscale phenomena and plays a significant role in atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) dynamics including initiation of convection/thunderstorms. In the tropical Indian region, these dryline conditions are normally associated with the pre-monsoon season. In the present study, dryline characteristics over a rain shadow region in the Indian subcontinent were investigated utilizing observations and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model from 28 to 30 May 2019. Based upon Wind Profiler Radar and MicroWave Radiometer Profiler measurements, the ABL characteristics were investigated. Interestingly, the ABL height was found to evolve up to 5 km with the horizontal wind vectors oscillating between north-westerly and north-easterly flow. During the intense ABL deepening, stronger downdraft cores were observed in comparison with the updraft cores. The stronger downdrafts entrained free-tropospheric dry air thereby further deepening the ABL. Based upon the entrainment velocity estimates at the ABL top and the variations in potential temperature, the dynamic entrainment fluxes were estimated and further implemented for evaluating two slab models to recreate the ABL growth. With this analysis, we demonstrate the significant contribution of entrainment fluxes on ABL growth during dryline conditions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsen.2022.1028587/fullCAIPEEXatmospheric boundary layer (ABL) heightdrylineentrainmentslab modelvertical wind
spellingShingle Raman Solanki
Neelam Malap
K. Gayatri
Y. Jaya Rao
Thara Prabhakaran
Characteristics of a pre-monsoon dryline atmospheric boundary layer over the rain shadow region: A case study
Frontiers in Remote Sensing
CAIPEEX
atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) height
dryline
entrainment
slab model
vertical wind
title Characteristics of a pre-monsoon dryline atmospheric boundary layer over the rain shadow region: A case study
title_full Characteristics of a pre-monsoon dryline atmospheric boundary layer over the rain shadow region: A case study
title_fullStr Characteristics of a pre-monsoon dryline atmospheric boundary layer over the rain shadow region: A case study
title_full_unstemmed Characteristics of a pre-monsoon dryline atmospheric boundary layer over the rain shadow region: A case study
title_short Characteristics of a pre-monsoon dryline atmospheric boundary layer over the rain shadow region: A case study
title_sort characteristics of a pre monsoon dryline atmospheric boundary layer over the rain shadow region a case study
topic CAIPEEX
atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) height
dryline
entrainment
slab model
vertical wind
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsen.2022.1028587/full
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