Boundary Layer, Urban Meteorology and Land-Surface Processes

Abstract: Understanding flows within the urban canopy layer is crucial for determining the distribution of particulate matter in urban areas and implications for air quality and human health. While multiple studies have been conducted to understand plume characteristics in urban environments, plume behavior close to point sources (< 1 km) and the effects of buildings and foliage on plume characteristics are not well understood.

Recent Advances and Applications of Utilizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems for Atmospheric Research Boundary Layer, Urban Meteorology, and Land-Surface Processes Brian Greene April 19, 2019 2:00pm/ NWC 5600 Abstract: In recent years, the commercial accessibility of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and miniaturized sensor payloads have increased significantly, making it feasible to sample and characterize the planetary […]

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At the WHAM laboratory, we have been simulating the tornadic wind fields numerically (using CFD simulations) and experimentally (in laboratory tornado simulators) to study the static and dynamic responses on civil structures induced by tornadoes. We believe that the entire community has a role to play in improving their community’s resilience to tornadoes. To achieve true tornado resilience, besides technical advancements, the whole community should be aware of the threats and, following best practices, act appropriately together.

Using data from the 6 July 2015 PECAN mission, this study examines how the assimilation of novel boundary layer (BL) profilers affects the forecasts of a bore-initiated convection event. To account for the multi-scale nature of the phenomenon, data impacts are discussed separately with respect to the (i) bore environment, (ii) explicitly resolved bore and (iii) bore-initiated convection.

TBA

In recent years, increased attention has turned to studying the planetary boundary layer (PBL) as advanced instruments have become more affordable. Commercial availability of scanning Doppler lidars and the recent widespread availability of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS) has opened up a world of opportunity to observe and study the complex processes that occur in the PBL. These two paradigms (remote sensing and UAS), have the potential to revolutionize boundary layer observations.

TBD

Abstract: The maximum upward vertical velocity at the leading edge of a density current is commonly between 8-10 m/s. However, while the propagation speed and depth of a density current have been the subject of past studies, research describing the vertical velocity at the leading edge of a density current is relatively limited.

TBA