Abstract
This study aims to compare the planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) values estimated by radiosonde data through the bulk Richardson number (BRN) method and by Doppler lidar measurements through the Carrier to Noise Ratio (CNR) method, which corresponds to the maximum of the variance of CNR profile. The measurement campaign was carried during the summer of 2015/2016 in the city of São Paulo. Despite the conceptual difference between these methods, the results show great agreement between them.
Highlights
The planetary boundary layer (PBL) is the region of the atmosphere directly influenced by the Earth’s surface, it is defined by the exchange of heat, moisture and momentum with the surface
A commercial Doppler lidar model WLS70 from Leosphere was set up to measure vertical profiles of wind velocity, wind direction and Carrier to Noise Ratio (CNR) from 100 to 1500 m with vertical resolution of 50 m and recording 10 minutes averaging with a temporal resolution of 3 Hz
planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) was estimated by bulk Richardson number (BRN) and CNR methods for the chosen 49-day dataset at 12 UTC
Summary
The planetary boundary layer (PBL) is the region of the atmosphere directly influenced by the Earth’s surface, it is defined by the exchange of heat, moisture and momentum with the surface. The PBLH is a fundamental parameter characterizing the structure of this region and is of great interest for meteorological applications, e.g., atmospheric modelling, air quality control and dispersion of pollutants [1], [2]. PBLH estimation relies on profile data analysis or its parametrization using equations and models [2]. In this study we will work with two different methods based on profile data. The most common measurements of profile data are taken by radiosondes that are widely used, standard radiosonde data are only taken twice a day, which doesn’t allow a more detailed analysis. Remote sense systems (lidars and sodars) are an alternative source of profile data that can provide continuous measurement of the PBLH with high spatial and temporal resolution, ideal for studying the PBL behavior. In this study we will work with a Doppler lidar system
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