Fine-scale structure observed in a stable atmospheric boundary layer by SODAR and kite-borne tethersonde

Abstract

Co-located high resolution profiles of acoustic backscatter, wind vector and potential temperature are presented, measured within the stable atmospheric boundary layer over an Antarctic ice shelf. Acoustic profiles from a monostatic acoustic radar (Sodar) indicate complex structure within the boundary layer, whilst wind and temperature profiles from a tethersonde show corresponding bands of differing stability. Internal waves and fossil convection are shown to invalidate attempts to compare backscatter measurements with theoretical estimates based on local wind and temperature gradients, but during ideal conditions, a qualitative agreement is observed