Characterizing urban boundary layer dynamics using radar, lidar, sodar, surface observations and predictions from numerical models

A network of remote sensing instruments is used to characterize the boundary layer in the NYC metro area. Vertical distributions of aerosols are monitored using both direct detection and coherent Doppler Lidar. Simultaneously with the lidar observations, Doppler radar and Doppler sodar are used to monitor horizontal and vertical wind speed components and to give additional information relating to the turbulent structure of the boundary layer. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model and the Community Multiscale Air Quality Model (CMAQ) are then used to relate temperature profiles from a multi-wavelength radiometric vertical profiler to the observed vertical mixing and to provide additional information to help evaluate the boundary layer mixing processes in this highly urbanized environment by incorporating a high spatial resolution parametrization of the surface boundary conditions in to the WRF model. Validating the models with such localized urban observations is an enabling technology for assessing future climate and air quality impacts as a result of increased urbanization.