International Urban Surface Energy Balance Model Comparison
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Current Status This project is underway. For past project
newsletters, please visit the Newsletter Archive(please
note that this page is password protected). If you would like access to
these newsletters, or if you would like any further information about
the project, please contact us at: urbanmet@kcl.ac.uk Objective The aim of this project is to evaluate numerical models to simulate heat fluxes by performing a multi-step model comparison of urban surface energy balance schemes with observational datasets. This will consist of leading a four-step study, where the forcing data are released in a controlled and systematic way.
Background There has been a rapid increase in the number of land-atmosphere exchange models which explicitly parameterize urban surfaces. The models are being developed for a wide range of purposes, which includes improved weather forecasting, climate predictions, air quality forecasting and assessment of the impact of mitigation strategies. Given that a number of models have now been developed, our objective is to investigate questions such as: do the models produce physically realistic simulations of urban heat exchange; how complex do parameterizations of heat exchange need to be; and to quantify costs (computer time, data requirements) versus the benefits (improvement in model prediction). Last modified: 7 Aug 2009 |
Methodology The methodology established by the Project for Intercomparison of Land-Surface Parameterization Schemes (PILPS) will be adopted here (Henderson-Sellers et al. 1993). Initially participants will be provided with very limited information about the chosen site(s) apart from the forcing variables. Then in subsequent runs, more information will be provided to ensure that a controlled experiment is achieved. The methodology described here has been endorsed by the GLASS panel (who coordinate the PILPS experiments) in September 2005, and they are committed to a regular review of the project.
Talks / Publications The first introductory project newsletters are available below: Other publications here. Additional information for participants |