Atmospheric boundary layer

{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-000220",
  "term": "Atmospheric boundary layer",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "definitions": [
    "The lowest part of the troposphere, directly influenced by the Earth's surface and responding to surface forcings within an hour or less. This layer is characterized by turbulence, vertical mixing, and diurnal cycles of heating and cooling. Its depth typically ranges from a few hundred meters to several kilometers.",
    "Same as Boundary Layer - in general, a layer of air adjacent to a bounding surface. Specifically, the term most often refers to the planetary boundary layer, which is the layer within which the effects of friction are significant. For the earth, this layer is considered to be roughly the lowest one or two kilometers of the atmosphere. It is within this layer that temperatures are most strongly affected by daytime insolation and nighttime radiational cooling, and winds are affected by friction with the earth's surface. The effects of friction die out gradually with height, so the \"top\" of this layer cannot be defined exactly."
  ],
  "abbreviation": "ABL",
  "synonyms": [
    "boundary layer",
    "planetary boundary layer",
    "Boundary Layer"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Ekman layer"
  ],
  "references": [
    "NWS Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/atmospheric-boundary-layer/"
}