Abstract. Results are presented from the first intercomparison of Large-eddy simulation (LES) models for the stable boundary layer (SBL), as part of the GABLS (Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment Atmospheric Boundary Layer Study) initiative. A moderately stable case is used, based on Arctic observations. All models produce successful simulations, inasmuch as they reflect many of the results from local scaling theory and observations. Simulations performed at 1 m and 2 m resolution show only small changes in the mean profiles compared to coarser resolutions. Also, sensitivity to sub-grid models for individual models highlights their importance in SBL simulation at moderate resolution (6.25 m). Stability functions are derived from the LES using typical mixing lengths used in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and climate models. The functions have smaller values than those used in NWP. There is also support for the use of K-profile similarity in parametrizations. Thus, the results provide improved understanding and motivate future developments of the parametrization of the SBL.

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Recent upgrades to the boundary-layer scheme in the UK Met Office operational global Numerical Weather Prediction model are documented. These comprise a reduction in turbulent mixing in stable conditions over the sea, and the inclusion of non-local momentum mixing in convective conditions. The dependence of low-level winds on changing stability is shown to have been significantly improved. Crucially, it is also found that these improvements in local performance have been achieved without degrading the model skill in terms of synoptic evolution-something that has proved difficult to achieve in the past in many operational models. In fact some aspects of the large-scale flow (e.g. zonal mean winds) have been slightly improved.

This paper revisits the mechanism for the interaction of the boundary layer with extratropical cyclones. Two diagnostic approaches are compared: Ekman pumping and potential vorticity. Ekman pumping derives from the boundary layer stress which induces convergence and ascent. boundary layer potential vorticity contains in a single quantity both the vorticity and stratification. These quantities are compared for an idealized extratropical cyclone life cycle simulated with the Met Office Unified Model.A significant component of the boundary layer stress and thus Ekman pumping at occlusion is forced by the cold conveyor-belt jet in the unstable boundary layer. In contrast, much of the boundary layer depth-averaged potential vorticity is contained within the stable warm-sector region. Inversion of the warm-sector PV indicates a small local deepening of about 2.5 hPa. Moreover, switching off the boundary layer mixing in the unstable cold sector has much more impact than in the stable warm sector.The sensitivity of the cyclone and its boundary layer to basic-state jet strength is then investigated. The maximum friction velocity scales closely with the initial maximum jet strength. This demonstrates the important role of the largescale flow in organizing the boundary layer structure. Changes in the minimum pressure produced by altering the boundary layer parametrization correspond closely to changes in the surface stress averaged over the cyclone. Different operational changes to the boundary layer scheme produce small and compensating changes to the cyclone minimum pressure over three days.  Crown

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