Dynamics of urban boundary layer over São Paulo associated with mesoscale processes

Summary

Examination of the Doppler SODAR data from Sao Paulo, Brazil, has given valuable information on the coupling between planetary boundary layer (PBL) and the free atmosphere above, which is reported here. In this communication a case study, on the dynamics of the urban boundary layer over the Metropolitan Area of Sao Paulo (MASP), Brazil, is examined for July 27, 1999 when a multiple gravity wave (GW), a low-level jet (LLJ) and a cold front (CF) all occurred in one single day in succession, making use of data from Doppler SODAR, surface meteorological instruments, satellite imageries and model derived values. The experimental findings are compared to provide validations of ground truth with the model-derived profiles based on the mesoscale analysis of Regional Atmospheric Modelling System (RAMS).

It is seen that the multiple GW, the LLJ and the CF have different types of nonlinear coupling between the PBL and the free atmosphere. However, there is convincing matching between Doppler SODAR derived features, those of mesoscale analysis from RAMS and satellite view of cloud dynamics. The study provided valuable information on (i) the very nature of these events, (ii) the nonlinear hydrodynamical coupling between the PBL and the free atmosphere above, during such events, and (iii) the possible mechanism of CF influencing the formation of GW and LLJ.