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Modelling mixing height from routinely measured surface and upper air meteorological data

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Abstract

A one‐dimensional model is developed for the estimation of hourly mixing height values from routinely measured upper air and surface meteorological data. A diagnostic technique is used in the model to calculate the convective and mechanically induced mixing height values under different atmospheric, and day and night‐time conditions. In the scheme, for the day‐time hours, the mixing height is determined as the larger of the convective and mechanically induced mixing height values. For the night‐time hours, only the mechanically induced mixing height values are considered. Three‐hourly mixing height values are modelled using once‐a‐day upper air temperature profile data (from radio‐sonde) and three‐hourly surface meteorological data. The spatial and temporal variation of mixing height are modelled in the Brisbane airshed and their relationship with the atmospheric stability, solar radiation and transport wind speed is developed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment, 158 Hume Street, Toowoomba, Qld, 4350, Australia

    Suhail M. Khan

  2. Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Griffith University, Brisbane, 4111, Australia

    Rod W. Simpson

Authors
  1. Suhail M. Khan
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  2. Rod W. Simpson
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Khan, S.M., Simpson, R.W. Modelling mixing height from routinely measured surface and upper air meteorological data. Environmental Modeling & Assessment 2, 191–200 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019009327212

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019009327212

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