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Spatially-Averaged Temperature Structure Parameter Over a Heterogeneous Surface Measured by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

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Abstract

The structure parameter of temperature, \({C_{T}^{2}}\) , in the lower convective boundary layer was measured using the unmanned mini aerial vehicle M2AV. The measurements were carried out on two hot summer days in July 2010 over a heterogeneous land surface around the boundary-layer field site of the Lindenberg Meteorological Observatory—Richard-Aßmann-Observatory of the German Meteorological Service. The spatial series of \({C_{T}^{2}}\) showed considerable variability along the flight path that was caused by both temporal variations and surface heterogeneity. Comparison of the aircraft data with \({C_{T}^{2}}\) values derived from tower-based in situ turbulence measurements showed good agreement with respect to the diurnal variability. The decrease of \({C_{T}^{2}}\) with height as predicted by free-convection scaling could be confirmed for the morning and afternoon flights while the flights around noon suggest a different behaviour.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zentrum für Geowissenschaften, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Sigwartstr. 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

    A. C. van den Kroonenberg & J. Bange

  2. Institute für Luft- und Raumfahrtsystemen, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hermann-Blenk-Str. 23, 38108, Braunschweig, Germany

    S. Martin

  3. Meteorologisches Observatorium Lindenberg/Richard-Aßmann Observatorium, Deutscher Wetterdienst, Am Observatorium 12, Tauche - OT, 15848, Lindenberg, Germany

    F. Beyrich

Authors
  1. A. C. van den Kroonenberg
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  2. S. Martin
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  3. F. Beyrich
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  4. J. Bange
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Correspondence to A. C. van den Kroonenberg.

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van den Kroonenberg, A.C., Martin, S., Beyrich, F. et al. Spatially-Averaged Temperature Structure Parameter Over a Heterogeneous Surface Measured by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 142, 55–77 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-011-9662-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-011-9662-9

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