Using profiles of water vapor, vertical wind, temperature, and pressure from continuously-operated instruments to characterize turbulent patterns and fluxes between the surface and boundary layer during the PECAN 2015 field campaign

The Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) field campaign was conducted in the central Great Plains from 1 June – 15 July 2015. Water vapor flux profiles were constructed using 45 continuous days of data collected with a Water Vapor Differential Absorption Lidar (WV DIAL), Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) and 449 MHz wind profiler. All data were collected in Ellis, KS at a fixed PECAN Integrated Sounding Array (PISA) site. Latent and sensible heat flux profiles were constructed using water vapor information from the WV DIAL, temperature and pressure profiles from the AERI and vertical wind information from the 449 MHz wind profiler. An 8.5-m tall flux tower was used to provide surface fluxes to complete the vertical profiles of water vapor, sensible, and latent heat flux from the surface through the boundary layer. This study used these high temporal and spatial resolution instruments to explore patterns of energy and water vapor between the surface and boundary layer for the duration of the PECAN field campaign. These analyses provide insight into the distribution of energy in the lower troposphere, as well as the evolution of the boundary layer and the size and distribution of turbulent eddies as a function of altitude. By characterizing these atmospheric constituents, mechanisms for turbulent movement in the lower atmosphere can be better understood, and the methods developed can be applied in future studies.