Observational and Theoretical Study of Convective Boundary Layers

了解大气边界层及其对云增长的影响是一个基本的气象问题，对于从污染物排放到自由大气到云层对气候的影响等一系列大气问题都很重要。观测（尤其是来自气象卫星的观测）已经清楚地表明，云可以在广阔的地区以独特的、非常有组织的模式形成。几年来，Agee博士一直在研究组织良好的中尺度对流云型，这种云型是由陆地和水面上的热驱动对流边界层造成的。首席研究员将继续他在这一领域的工作，利用以前收集的观测数据、数值模型和理论研究，建立确定对流开始、成因机制和形态特征的标准，并继续发展大气热对流的观测分类系统。

Understanding the atmospheric boundary layer and the effect it has on cloud growth is a fundamental meteorological problem that is important to a broad range of atmospheric questions ranging from venting of pollutants to the free atmosphere to the effect of cloud cover on climate. Observations (especially those from meteorological satellites) have clearly shown that clouds can form in distinctive and very organized patterns over expansive areas. For several years Dr. Agee has investigated well-organized mesoscale convective cloud patterns which result from the thermally-driven convective boundary layer over both land and water. The principal investigator will continue his work in this area using previously collected observational data, numerical models and theoretical studies to establish criteria for determining the onset, causative mechanisms and morphological characteristics of convection and to continue development of an observational classification system for thermal atmospheric convection.