Handout (4.7 MB)
In classic intercomparisons of specific physical parameterizations embedded within numerical weather prediction systems, all modeling system components are held constant with the exception of the configuration option that allows the PBL scheme to change. Following this methodology, all configuration options are held constant within the WRF modeling system with the exception of the PBL scheme and its subsequent surface layer parameterization. Boundary layer height is then extracted from each model simulation and compared against verifying observations obtained using the Vaisala Boundary Layer View (BL-VIEW) application. BL-VIEW is an application software for planetary boundary layer analysis and is an independent data collection, storage, analysis, and presentation program designed to be used with the Vaisala Ceilometers CL31 and CL51.
This study not only provides an assessment of modern PBL parameterizations but also demonstrates the use of an operational boundary layer height observation instrument. While typical boundary layer studies utilize measurements from field, numerical, or idealized tank or wind tunnel experiments, the BL-VIEW dataset has a higher temporal resolution and when multiple ceilometers are deployed, a higher spatial resolution.
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