Estimation of spatial inhomogeneities of thermal stratification in the boundary layer of the Moscow megalopolis from remote sensing

Abstract

The results of a joint study of spatial inhomogeneity and accuracy of retrieving temperature profiles in the atmospheric boundary layer over Moscow are analyzed. Measurements at three sites allowed estimating the spatial variability of thermal stratification in the megalopolis. The effect of local features of the observation sites on the retrieval error at all altitudes is shown. To reduce this effect, the retrieval of temperature lapse rate is suggested. Comparison of temperature gradients showed a gradual decrease in the effect of the local features in the range from 100 to 300 m. Based on the statistical variability analysis of the vertical temperature gradients, a reference mesh of temperature profilers is suggested.