The feasibility of a scanning lidar in observing early stages of the convective boundary layer growth

Abstract

A ground based scanning lidar was used for the first time in the Philippines to observe early stages of the convective boundary layer (CBL) growth. Two days of observations were done (March 16 and 17, 2003) at the Manila Observatory, Katipunan. The scanning range was 30°, using a 532 nm wavelength of Nd-Yag laser. The data presented as Range Height Indicator scans (RHI scans), suggest a convective activity that develops together with the surface temperature of the day. That is the convective activity for the early part is slow and weak then it becomes fast and strong as the surface temperature increases. This is in agreement to the theoretical discussion of the development of the CBL.