From Dutch Short-Lived to Antarctic Long-Lived Stable Boundary Layers

Abstract

Stable boundary layers (SBLs) are a common aspect of the earth’s atmosphere and are characterized by a stable density stratification in which the temperature increases with height. This typically occurs during the night, resulting in a short-lived stable boundary layer, or persistently throughout the polar winter, resulting in a longlived stable boundary layer. Due to their associated cold surface temperatures, stable boundary layers can stimulate the formation of radiation fog or frost near the surface, which may negatively impact human activities and result in large economic losses. However, despite their omnipresence, a comprehensive understanding of their dynamical behavior is still lacking.