The Atmospheric Boundary Layer (Cambridge Atmospheric and Space Science Series)

This book is of mediocre quality. At the very beginning (Figure 1.2), the potential temperature is shown to decrease of 5 K in the few metres above the ground. This number looks gigantic and difficult to believe (a decrease of 1 to 2 K is expected). After performing some quick research, I found that this graph has been generated in Tarong where there is a huge coal plant and that therefore, this figure is basically misleading. Figure 6.8 shows a decrease of almost 20 K of the potential temperature over the High Plains in US. This looks very hard to believe (tornadoes of force EF7 should be generated). I went to the original paper that showed a mere 1.7 K decrease in potential temperature which sounds right. These 2 examples show that the author did not review properly his book and also that the author seems to not having a proper feel on what are reasonable numbers or not. This book shows a recurring problem that meteorologists are lacking the empirical knowledge acquired by glider pilots to validate their theory. This book also refers to the Monin-Obukhov theory without really questioning its validity. This theory is based on adjustable parameters that can be difficult to assess and thus, it is almost impossible to make meaningful predictions. Having a stack of equations that predict nothing is useless. For example, why is the cycle of a thermal around 10 minutes: no response. What is the structure of a thermal: no response. So this book is almost useless and we note that it has not been reedited since.

I was forced to buy this book as a text for my boundary layer meteorology course. At first I thought it was great because it was probably one of the only texts on teh market that was less than $100. After reading it through and studying it in considerable depth I can honestly say it was one of the worst texts I have ever seen. Proper derivations were lacking and the explanation of Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory, a central topic in the study of boundary layer dynamics, was very poor. Granted that the text is aimed at a graduate level course, it is expected to be more complex, but the oversight of not including any well though-out physical descriptions of boundary layer processes makes this book a near failure.As a text, it is no good. There are no problems to do and again, if you're searching for good explanations don't look here. I suppose the use I could see for this text is as a reference for those who have a strong background in the field and don't require proper derivations or any description. For me, the floor in my office is uneven and this book has served marvelously in propping up my desk's leg. In consulting with others about this text, many have shared my opinion! You make your own choice, but I suggest you take the book out of the library first and see what it has to offer you.One point I should mention. I would not feel right ending my comments without having said at least one good thing. So the best i can do is this: the section on modelling PBL growth is OK.

Garratt's book is an elegant and concise mathematical introduction to the atmospheric boundary layer. If you are new to the subject this is one of the books you want to start with. The other is Stull's comprehensive "Introduction to Boundary Layer Meteorology". At $40, Garratt's book is by far the better bargain, but if you are serious about learning the subject both books complement each other nicely.

This is an engrossing book by Garratt, it is concise and efficient. The first chapters give the reader a captivating introductory overview of what the boundary layer is about. It is a great book that could be used by both graduate and undergraduate students.