Remote sensing and surface observations of the response of the atmospheric boundary layer to a solar eclipse

Fanny Girard-Ardhuin (1) , Bruno Bénech (1) , Bernard Campistron (1) , Jean Dessens (1) , Sandra Jacoby-Koaly (1)

1 LAERO - Laboratoire d'aérologie

On 11 August 1999, a near-total solar eclipse (80%) was observed in Campistrous, France. The influence of this particular event on the atmospheric boundary layer was observed with a UHF-RASS radar, a sodar and an instrumented mast. The changes in turbulence intensity, radar reflectivity, and temperature on the radiative budget are described in relation to collocated ground meteorological data. The impact of the eclipse induces a clear response of the atmosphere, with a time lag of 15 to 30 min, perceptible in several mean and turbulent meteorological variables up to the top of the atmospheric boundary layer.

Domaines: Physique Atmosphérique et Océanique [physics.ao-ph]

Fanny Girard-Ardhuin, Bruno Bénech, Bernard Campistron, Jean Dessens, Sandra Jacoby-Koaly. Remote sensing and surface observations of the response of the atmospheric boundary layer to a solar eclipse. Boundary-Layer Meteorology, 2003, 106, pp.93-115. ⟨10.1023/A:1020837400800⟩. ⟨hal-00139081⟩