Definitions for "Planetary boundary layer"
The transition region between the turbulent surface layer and the normally nonturbulent free atmosphere. This region is about 1 km in thickness and is characterized by a well-developed mixing generated by frictional drag as the air masses move over the Earth's surface. This layer contains approximately 10% of the mass of the atmosphere. Also called the atmospheric boundary layer or frictional layer.
A generic term for either oceanic boundary layer (OBL) or atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). These layers are fundamentally turbulent and extend from near the surface to the boundary layer depth or height, defined as the limit to which boundary layer eddies can penetrate in the vertical.
That part of the earth's lower atmosphere that is directly influenced by the presence of the earth's surface and responds to surface forcings such as fronts, friction, evapotranspiration and convective mixing.