Characterization of PBL height and structure by Raman lidar: Selected case studies from the convective and orographically-induced precipitation study

The planetary boundary layer includes the portion of the atmosphere which is directly influenced by the presence of the Earth's surface. Aerosol particles trapped within the PBL can be used as tracers to study boundary-layer vertical structure and time variability. The PBL height and structure can be estimated based on the use of Raman lidar data. A first method is based on the first order derivative of the range-corrected elastic signal (RCS). Estimates of the PBL height and structure obtained from the above mentioned approach are compared with simultaneous estimates obtained from potential temperature profiles determined from the radiosondes launched simultaneously to lidar operation. Additional estimates of the boundary layer height are obtained from rotational Raman lidar signals used for temperature measurements signals, this latter approach being preferable in the decaying phase of the boundary layer, when effectiveness of the approach based on the elastic lidar signals may be altered by the presence of the residual layer. Preliminary results and correlation are illustrated and discussed.