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Abstract While it has been established that pronounced sea-breeze fronts (SBFs) develop under conditions of weak or offshore flow, with the SBF serving as a focus for convection initiation (CI), less is known regarding CI processes during large-scale onshore flow, including the potential existence and influence of embedded SBFs. Challenges that have limited progress in addressing this question include the limited focus on cases under this flow regime and the coarse grid spacing used in prior model-based parameter studies, artificially decreasing the magnitude of convergence or thermodynamic gradients associated with the SBF and potentially leading to substantial errors in the representation of surface fluxes. In Part II of this two-part series, the authors address these prior challenges through execution of a suite of Cloud Model 1 (CM1) large-eddy simulations analyzing the impact of varying the magnitude of the onshore wind component (+2.5 and +5.0 m s⁻¹), and radiative forcing and water surface temperature consistent for summertime in the Great Lakes region. In all simulations, a mesoscale enhancement of onshore flow and return flow was present, with a thermal gradient and convergence collocated with the leading edge of this enhanced flow providing evidence for the presence of a diffuse yet discernible SBF. The SBF progressed inland and separated areas where CI did and did not occur, highlighting the need for increased focus on SBFs and CI in this less-studied flow regime. In conditions of weak onshore flow, surface-based CAPE was larger, CI was more common, and it occurred closer to the coast. 

Abstract The influence of large bodies of water on convection initiation (CI) and the environment in which convection evolves is highly complex due to the wide range of parameters that control relevant processes. A substantial focus of sea-breeze front (SBF) CI research has focused on the role of mesoscale boundary or organized boundary layer circulation interactions with SBFs; however, less research has focused on heterogeneities in convective parameters and how those may affect CI coverage, timing, and location. In this two-part series, the authors present a parameter study of SBF CI through Cloud Model 1 (CM1) large-eddy simulations across a parameter space varying the cross-shore wind component and radiative forcing and water surface temperatures consistent with June, July, and August in the Great Lakes region. In Part I of this series, simulations under conditions of calm, weak, and moderate offshore flow (0, −2.5, and −5.0 m s⁻¹) are presented. CI occurred in all calm simulations, with decreased coverage and frequency of CI in weak offshore flow. CI was least frequent during moderate offshore flow, despite stronger convergence, due to a shear profile that favored undercutting by the SBF under conditions of moderate offshore flow. Surface-based convective available potential energy (SBCAPE) maxima developed on the cool side of the SBF, with convection occurring on the cool side of the SBF in some cases. Analyses are presented with a focus on the nature of the SBF, distribution of convective parameters, and their implications on CI. 

Abstract Recent idealized modeling studies have highlighted the importance of explicitly simulating realistic convective boundary layer (CBL) structures to assess and represent their influence on mesoscale phenomena. The choice of lateral boundary conditions (LBCs) has a substantial impact on these turbulent structures, including the distribution of kinematic and thermodynamic properties within the CBL. While use of periodic LBCs is ideal, open LBCs are required for nonuniform domains (e.g., multiple air masses or land surface types). However, open LBCs result in an unrealistic, laminar CBL structure near the upstream boundary that undoubtedly impacts the evolution of any simulated phenomena. Therefore, there is a need for a modified open LBC option to mitigate this unrealistic structure, while still permitting users to simulate phenomena in nonuniform domains. The Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Cloud Model 1 (CM1), version 19.8, includes an optional inflow-nudging technique to nudge inflow to the base-state wind profile. For the present study, the authors modified this method to one that nudges toward a continually updated, horizontally averaged profile so that the technique may be used for phenomena under evolving conditions. Simulations using LBC choices, including nudging to either the base state or horizontal average, were evaluated relative to respective dual-periodic LBC control simulations with or without vertical wind shear. The horizontal average nudging technique outperformed the traditional open LBCs and nudging to the base state, as demonstrated using a histogram matching technique applied to grid points within the CBL. Ultimately, this work can be used to assist modelers in assessing which LBCs are appropriate for their intended use.