BUBBLE - an urban boundary layer meteorology project

M.W. Rotach, R. Vogt, C. Bernhofer, E. Batchvarova, A. Christen, A. Clappier, B. Feddersen, Sven-Erik Gryning, G. Martucci, H. Mayer, V. Mitev, T.R. Oke, E. Parlow, H. Richner, M. Roth, Y.-A. Roulet, D. Ruffieux, J.A. Salmond, M. Schatzmann, J.A. Voogt

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    The Basel urban Boundary Layer Experiment (BUBBLE) was a year-long experimental effort to investigate in detail the boundary layer structure in the City of Basel, Switzerland. At several sites over different surface types (urban, sub-urban and rural reference) towers up to at least twice the main obstacle height provided turbulence observations at many levels. In addition, a Wind Profiler and a Lidar near the city center were profiling the entire lower troposphere. During an intensive observation period (IOP) of one month duration, several sub-studies on street canyon energetics and satellite ground truth, as well as on urban turbulence and profiling (sodar, RASS, tethered balloon) were performed. Also tracer experiments with near-roof-level release and sampling were performed. In parallel to the experimental activities within BUBBLE, a meso-scale numerical atmospheric model, which contains a surface exchange parameterization, especially designed for urban areas was evaluated and further developed. Finally, the area of the full-scale tracer experiment which also contains several sites of other special projects during the IOP (street canyon energetics, satellite ground truth) is modeled using a very detailed physical scale-model in a wind tunnel. In the present paper details of all these activities are presented together with first results.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalTheoretical and Applied Climatology
    Volume81
    Issue number3-4
    Pages (from-to)231-261
    ISSN0177-798X
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2005

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