Analysis of the effects of local climate variations and El Niño/La Niña episodes to the boundary layer

Abstract

The effects of El Niño and La Niña episodes to the profile of the boundary layer are analyzed and discussed using the 1997 to 2000 lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) data gathered at the Manila Observatory, Ateneo de Manila University. During these years, a consecutive occurrence of El Niño and La Niña episodes had been recorded. The behavior of the boundary layer during this period is also observed. The profile of the boundary layer during the 1997-1998 El Niño episode was relatively lower than the 2000 La Niña episode. The results also show that the growth of the boundary layer is capped at an earlier time during the El Niño episodes compared to the more normal conditions of 1999 and 2000.