Mixed-layer depth: Difference between revisions

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(''Also called'' mixed-layer height, mixed-layer top, mixing height.) The [[thickness]],  ''z''<sub>''i''</sub>, of the [[mixed layer]], defined as the location of a capping [[temperature inversion]] or [[static stability|statically  stable]] layer of air.<br/> Often associated with, or measured by, a sharp increase of [[potential temperature]] with height,  a sharp decrease of water-vapor [[mixing ratio]], a sharp decrease in [[turbulence intensity]], a sharp  decrease in [[pollutant]] concentration, a change of [[wind speed]] to [[geostrophic]], a minimum of  turbulent [[heat flux]], and a maximum of [[signal intensity]] from remote sensors such as [[sodars]] and  [[wind profilers]]. Quite variable in space and time, the mixed-layer depth typically increases during  fair-weather daytime over land from tens of meters shortly after [[sunrise]] to 1&ndash;4 km before [[sunset]],  depending on the location and [[season]].
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== mixed-layer depth ==
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<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">(''Also called'' mixed-layer height, mixed-layer top, mixing height.) The [[thickness]],  ''z''<sub>''i''</sub>, of the [[mixed layer]], defined as the location of a capping [[temperature inversion]] or [[static stability|statically  stable]] layer of air.</div><br/> <div class="paragraph">Often associated with, or measured by, a sharp increase of [[potential temperature]] with height,  a sharp decrease of water-vapor [[mixing ratio]], a sharp decrease in [[turbulence intensity]], a sharp  decrease in [[pollutant]] concentration, a change of [[wind speed]] to [[geostrophic]], a minimum of  turbulent [[heat flux]], and a maximum of [[signal intensity]] from remote sensors such as [[sodars]] and  [[wind profilers]]. Quite variable in space and time, the mixed-layer depth typically increases during  fair-weather daytime over land from tens of meters shortly after [[sunrise]] to 1&ndash;4 km before [[sunset]],  depending on the location and [[season]].</div><br/> </div>
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Latest revision as of 11:50, 29 March 2024

(Also called mixed-layer height, mixed-layer top, mixing height.) The thickness, zi, of the mixed layer, defined as the location of a capping temperature inversion or statically stable layer of air.
Often associated with, or measured by, a sharp increase of potential temperature with height, a sharp decrease of water-vapor mixing ratio, a sharp decrease in turbulence intensity, a sharp decrease in pollutant concentration, a change of wind speed to geostrophic, a minimum of turbulent heat flux, and a maximum of signal intensity from remote sensors such as sodars and wind profilers. Quite variable in space and time, the mixed-layer depth typically increases during fair-weather daytime over land from tens of meters shortly after sunrise to 1–4 km before sunset, depending on the location and season.

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