Description
Atmospheric processes and dynamics occurring within the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) play a critical role in shaping wind patterns, which can influence a range of applications from aviation and marine navigation to offshore energy generation and emergency responses.
The third Wind Forecast Improvement Project (WFIP-3), a field campaign and analysis sponsored by the Department of Energy and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is specifically aimed at advancing wind forecasting in marine environments. Officially launching in February 2024, WFIP-3’s field observations were made using various instruments placed at different sites in the coastal New England area. This work utilizes both WFIP-3 observations (from radar wind profilers, Doppler lidars, infrared spectrometers, and microwave radiometers) and High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model data taken from the three primary WFIP-3 sites: Block Island, RI, Nantucket, MA, and a barge deployed about 50 km south of Martha’s Vineyard.
Low-level jets (LLJs) are concentrated streams of fast-moving air found in the lower troposphere and can significantly impact weather conditions and forecast accuracy. This work employs a line integral method to calculate horizontal temperature advection over the three sites to investigate potential relationships between LLJs and warm air advection (WAA). The presence of WAA can influence local meteorology by contributing to stratification of the lower atmosphere and modifying vertical wind structure.
Preliminary analysis indicates that most LLJ events exhibit either northeasterly or southwesterly flow. Directional differences appear to influence the thermodynamic characteristics and vertical structure of these jets. Analysis of detected LLJ cases enhances understand of their thermodynamic structure and forecasting implications.