Gravity waves above a convective boundary layer: A comparison between wind-profiler observations and numerical simulations

Abstract

Wind-profiler observations and three-dimensional numerical modelling are used to investigate gravity waves generated over convectively active boundary layers on 12 and 13 May 2001 at Lindenberg, Germany. The results illustrate the importance of changes in the background wind and stability profile in influencing the vertical propagation of the gravity waves. The resultant changes in vertical propagation cause the dominance of relatively long-wavelength, long-period waves at high levels and the dominance of relatively short-wavelength, short-period waves near the top of the convective boundary layer. There are important differences between the two days in the wave-propagation characteristics, ..