Abstract
The paper describes some aspects of the convective boundary-layer structure based on simultaneous sodar and tethersonde measurements during a field experiment in the urban area of Milan in the period 8 to 20 February, 1993. During this period, fog episodes and strong low-level elevated inversions (with lower boundaries < 400 m) were observed most of the time. A close agreement in the mixing height values, derived from the sodar and tethersonde profiles, has been achieved under these conditions. The validity of the similarity relationships, which have been originally derived to describe the vertical velocity variance and heat flux profiles over horizontally homogeneous terrain under quasi-stationary conditions, was evaluated when applied to the urban boundary layer.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Angevine, W. M., Doviak, R. J., and Sorbjan, Z.: 1994, ‘Remote Sensing of Vertical Velocity Variance and Surface Heat Flux in a Convective Boundary Layer’, J. Appl. Meteorol. 33, 977-983.
Boffa, C.: 1982, ‘Dati climatici per la progettazione edile ed impiantistica’, in C. Boffa (ed.), Appendice al “Guida al Controllo della progettazione”, Pubblicazione CNR, Roma, pp. 79-90.
Beyrich, F.: 1992, ‘Discussion on Sodar Estimates of Surface Heat Flux and Mixed Layer Depth Compared with Direct Measurements’, Atmos. Environ. 26A, 2459-2461.
Beyrich, F.: 1995, ‘Mixing — Height Estimation in the Convective Boundary Layer Using Sodar Data’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 74, 1-18.
Casadio, S., Di Sarra, A., Fiocco, G., Fua’, D., Lena, F., and Rao, M. P.: 1997, ‘Convective Characteristics of the Nocturnal Urban Boundary Layer as Observed with Doppler Sodar and Raman Lidar’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 79, 375-391.
Caughey, S. J. and Readings, C. J.: 1974, ‘Vertical Component of Turbulence in Convective Conditions’, Advances in Geophysics Vol. 18A, Academic Press, pp. 125-130.
Garratt, J. R.: 1992, The Atmospheric Boundary Layer, Cambridge University Press, U.K., 316 pp.
Giannini, L., Argentini, S., Mastrantonio, G., and Rossini, L.: 1997, ‘Estimation of Flux Parameters from Sodar Wind Profiles’, Atmos. Environ. 31, 1307-1313.
Greenhut, G. K. and Mastrantonio, G.: 1989, ‘Turbulence Kinetic Energy Budget Profiles Derived from Doppler Sodar Measurements’, J. Appl. Meteorol. 28, 99-106.
Gryning, S. E. and Batchvarova, E.: 1990, ‘Applied Model for the Growth of the Daytime Mixed Layer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 56, 261-274.
Kaimal, J. C., Abshire, N. L., Chadwick, R. B., Decker, M. T., Hooke, W. H., Kropfli, R. A., Neff, W. D., Pasqualucci, F., and Hildbrand, P. H.: 1982, ‘Estimating the Depth of the Daytime Convective Boundary Layer’, J. Appl. Meteorol. 21, 1123-1129.
Mastrantonio, G. and Fiocco, G.: 1982, ‘Accuracy of Wind Velocity Determinations with Doppler Sodar’, J. Appl. Meteorol. 21, 820-830.
Mastrantonio, G., Viola, A. P., Argentini, S., Fiocco, G., Giannini, L., Rossini, L., Abate, G., Ocone, R., and Casonato, M.: 1994, ‘Observations of Sea Breeze Events in Rome and the Surrounding Area, by a Network of Doppler Sodars’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 71, 67-80.
Mastrantonio, G., Rossini, L., Argentini, S., Viola, A. P., Giannini, L., and Fiocco, G.: 1996, ‘The Rome Urban Heat Island Effect Observed by a Network of Sodars’, in M. Kallistratova (ed.), 8th Symposium on Acoustic Remote Sensing and Associates Techniques of the Atmosphere and Oceans, Moscow, Russia, May 27–31, 1996, pp. 7.39-7.44.
Mastrantonio, G. and Argentini, G.: 1997, ‘A Modular PC-Based Multiband Sodar System’, in S. P. Singal (ed.), Acoustic Remote Sensing Applications, Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, pp. 105-116.
Melas, D.: 1990, ‘Sodar Estimates of Surface Heat Flux and Mixed Layer Depth Compared with Direct Measurements’, Atmos. Environ. 24A, 2847-2853.
Melas, D.: 1993, ‘Similarity Methods to Derive Turbulence Quantities and Mixed Layer Depth from Sodar Measurements in the Convective Boundary Layer: A Review’, Applied Physics B57, 11-17.
Oke, T. R.: 1987, ‘The Surface Energy Budgets of Urban Areas'. Modelling the Urban boundary layer, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, 1987, American Meteorol. Soc., Boston, pp. 1-52.
Sorbjan, Z., Coulter, R., and Wesley, M. L.: 1991, ‘Similarity Scaling Applied to Sodar Observations of the Convective Boundary Layer above an Irregular Hill’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 56, 36-50.
Stull, R. B.: 1988, An Introduction to Boundary-Layer Meteorology, Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands, 666 pp.
Viola, A., Argentini, S., Marzorati, A., and Mastrantonio, G.: 1994, ‘Structure of the Urban Boundary Layer Observed during the Campaign Milano '93’, in W. B. Neff (ed.), 7th Symp. on Acoustic Remote Sensing and Associates Techniques of the Atmosphere and Oceans, Boulder, Colorado, USA, Oct. 3–7, 1994, pp. 3.139-3.144.
Weill, A., Klapisz, C., Strauss, B., Baudin, F., Jaupart, C., Grunderbeeck, P. V., and Goutorbe, J. P.: 1980, ‘Measuring Heat Flux and Structure Functions of Temperature Fluctuations with an Acoustic Doppler Sodar’, J. Appl. Meteorol. 19, 199-204.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Argentini, S., Mastrantonio, G. & Lena, F. Case Studies of the Wintertime Convective Boundary-Layer Structure in the Urban Area of Milan, Italy. Boundary-Layer Meteorology 93, 253–267 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002057414039
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1002057414039