Coupling the Town Energy Balance Scheme to the High Resolution LAM ALADIN for Belgium

Abstract

The Town Energy Balance (TEB) single-layer scheme is implemented into a numerical weather prediction model running operationally at ∼4 km resolution. The primary question addressed is the potential use of TEB, at this relatively coarse resolution, in an operational configuration to improve sensible weather performance over Belgium. Simulations with and without TEB are first evaluated against 2 m observations and wind above the urban canopy for 2 months (January and July 2010). The 2 m temperature and 2 m relative humidity improve compared to measurements in urban areas. The comparison of wind speed and wind direction above the urban canopy indicate that the structure of the flow in urban areas is better reproduced with TEB. Results from a 36-h case study during a high heat day (8 July 2010) indicate that even at this coarse resolution, TEB is able to reproduce correctly the intensity of the observed UHI of Brussels.