Validation of WRF PBL Schemes in Northern California Using Ceilometer Testbed Observations

Planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) schemes are essential to modeling and forecasting air quality, greenhouse gas emission estimation, and weather. For the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA), these important interests rely heavily on numerical modeling, however, little research has been conducted on the validation of schemes against observational data. In this study, ceilometer testbed observations (currently made up of three sites: Bruceville, Benicia, and San José) will be used to validate Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model PBL schemes in the Bay Area using 5-minute mixing layer height measurements. Bruceville and Benicia will be used to study trends in 2018-2019, while San José will add to summer 2019 analysis. The testbed plans on later incorporating more ceilometers to create a network of observational data along California and further model validation through increased temporal resolution and coverage.