Land–Atmosphere Interactions during GRAINEX: Planetary Boundary Layer Evolution in the Presence of Irrigation

Abstract

Abstract This paper analyzed observations from the Great Plains Irrigation Experiment (GRAINEX) to better understand land–atmosphere (L–A) interactions and PBL evolution. This study is focused on a day when the largest forcing on the boundary layer originated from the land surface/land use. To examine these impacts, we also applied the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. Results from the observations show that compared to nonirrigated areas, air temperature, wind speed, and PBL height (PBLH) were lower while dewpoint temperature and latent heat flux were higher over irrigated areas. Findings suggest that entrainment layer drying and differences in energy partitioning over irrigated and nonirrigated areas played an important role in PBL evolution. In the final hours of the day, the PBL collapsed faster over nonirrigated areas compared to irrigated. The WRF Model simulations agree with these observations. They also show that the extent of irrigation [expressed as irrigation fraction (IF)] in an area impacts L–A response. Under ∼60% IF, the latent heat flux and mixing ratio reach their highest value while temperature and PBLH are at their lowest, and sensible heat flux is near its lowest value. Results are reversed for ∼2% IF. It is concluded that irrigation notably impacts L–A interactions and PBL evolution.