Articles | Volume 18, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-1485-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-1485-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
31 Mar 2025
Research article |
| 31 Mar 2025
| 31 Mar 2025
A novel assessment of the vertical velocity correction for non-orthogonal sonic anemometers
Kyaw Tha Paw U
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Atmospheric Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Mary Rose Mangan
Atmospheric Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Meteorology and Air Quality Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
Jilmarie Stephens
Atmospheric Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
now at: Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
Kosana Suvočarev
Atmospheric Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Jenae' Clay
Atmospheric Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Olmo Guerrero Medina
Atmospheric Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Emma Ware
Atmospheric Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Amanda Kerr-Munslow
Field Site Cardington Airfield, Met Office, Bedford, MK42 0SY, UK
James McGregor
Field Site Cardington Airfield, Met Office, Bedford, MK42 0SY, UK
John Kochendorfer
Atmospheric Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
now at: Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division, NOAA Air Resources Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
Megan McAuliffe
Atmospheric Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
now at: Triangulum Insights, Inc., Willmar, MN 56201, USA
Megan Metz
Atmospheric Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
now at: Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Related authors
Wen Li Zhao, Yu Jiu Xiong, Kyaw Tha Paw U, Pierre Gentine, Baoyu Chen, and Guo Yu Qiu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2019-160, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2019-160, 2019
Manuscript not accepted for further review
Short summary
Short summary
Accurate evapotranspiration (ET) estimation requires an in-depth identification of uncertainty sources. Using high density eddy covariance observations, we evaluated the effects of resistances on ET estimation and discussed possible solutions. The results show that more complex resistance parameterizations leads to more uncertainty, although prior calibration can improve the ET estimates and that a new model without resistance parameterization introduces less uncertainty into the ET estimation.
Kathrin Gatzsche, Wolfgang Babel, Eva Falge, Rex David Pyles, Kyaw Tha Paw U, Armin Raabe, and Thomas Foken
Biogeosciences, 15, 2945–2960, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2945-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2945-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The ecosystem is a significant sink of carbon dioxide. To quantify this sink, very complex and validated models are required. However, the comparison of modeled and measured energy and matter fluxes in a heterogeneous landscape is still a challenge. On the one hand, models must be applied for various surface types, while on the other hand the comparison of the fluxes is only possible based on the flux source areas. This paper treats the potential aggregation of modeled fluxes and its validation.
L. Xu, R. D. Pyles, K. T. Paw U, S. H. Chen, and E. Monier
Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 2917–2932, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-2917-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-2917-2014, 2014
H. Ikawa, I. Faloona, J. Kochendorfer, K. T. Paw U, and W. C. Oechel
Biogeosciences, 10, 4419–4432, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-4419-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-4419-2013, 2013
William Morrison, Dana Looschelders, Jonnathan Céspedes, Bernie Claxton, Marc-Antoine Drouin, Jean-Charles Dupont, Aurélien Faucheux, Martial Haeffelin, Christopher C. Holst, Simone Kotthaus, Valéry Masson, James McGregor, Jeremy Price, Matthias Zeeman, Sue Grimmond, and Andreas Christen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-167, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-167, 2025
Preprint under review for ESSD
Short summary
Short summary
We conducted research using sophisticated wind sensors to better understand wind patterns in Paris. By installing these sensors across the city, we gathered detailed data on wind speeds and directions from 2022 to 2024. This information helps improve weather and climate models, making them more accurate for city environments. Our findings offer valuable insights for scientists studying urban air and weather, improving predictions and understanding of city-scale atmospheric processes.
Mary Rose Mangan, Jordi Vilà-Guerau de Arellano, Bart J. H. van Stratum, Marie Lothon, Guylaine Canut-Rocafort, and Oscar K. Hartogensis
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3000, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3000, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Using observations and high-resolution turbulence modeling, we examine the influence of irrigation-driven surface heterogeneity on the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). We employ different spatial scales of heterogeneity to explore how the influence of surface heterogeneity on the ABL within a single grid cell would change in higher resolution global models. We find that the height of the ABL is highly variable, and that the surface heterogeneity is felt least strongly in the middle of the ABL.
Raquel González-Armas, Jordi Vilà-Guerau de Arellano, Mary Rose Mangan, Oscar Hartogensis, and Hugo de Boer
Biogeosciences, 21, 2425–2445, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2425-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2425-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This paper investigates the water and CO2 exchange for an alfalfa field with observations and a model with spatial scales ranging from the stomata to the atmospheric boundary layer. To relate the environmental factors to the leaf gas exchange, we developed three equations that quantify how many of the temporal changes of the leaf gas exchange occur due to changes in the environmental variables. The novelty of the research resides in the capacity to dissect the dynamics of the leaf gas exchange.
John Kochendorfer, Tilden P. Meyers, Mark E. Hall, Scott D. Landolt, Justin Lentz, and Howard J. Diamond
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 5647–5657, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5647-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5647-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
A new wind shield has been designed to reduce the effects of precipitation gauge undercatch. Tested at three separate sites, it compared well to a well-established refence-quality precipitation wind shield. The new wind shield is smaller and more durable than other reference-quality shields, and it was designed for use in operational weather and climate networks.
Elad Levintal, Yonatan Ganot, Gail Taylor, Peter Freer-Smith, Kosana Suvocarev, and Helen E. Dahlke
SOIL, 8, 85–97, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-85-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-85-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Do-it-yourself hardware is a new approach for improving measurement resolution in research. Here we present a new low-cost, wireless underground sensor network for soil monitoring. All data logging, power, and communication component cost is USD 150, much cheaper than other available commercial solutions. We provide the complete building guide to reduce any technical barriers, which we hope will allow easier reproducibility and open new environmental monitoring applications.
Craig D. Smith, Amber Ross, John Kochendorfer, Michael E. Earle, Mareile Wolff, Samuel Buisán, Yves-Alain Roulet, and Timo Laine
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 4025–4043, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4025-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-4025-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
During the World Meteorological Organization Solid Precipitation Intercomparison Experiment (SPICE), transfer functions were developed to adjust automated gauge measurements of solid precipitation for systematic bias due to wind. The transfer functions were developed by combining data from eight sites, attempting to make them more universally applicable in a range of climates. This analysis is an assessment of the performance of those transfer functions, using data collected when SPICE ended.
Wen Li Zhao, Yu Jiu Xiong, Kyaw Tha Paw U, Pierre Gentine, Baoyu Chen, and Guo Yu Qiu
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2019-160, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2019-160, 2019
Manuscript not accepted for further review
Short summary
Short summary
Accurate evapotranspiration (ET) estimation requires an in-depth identification of uncertainty sources. Using high density eddy covariance observations, we evaluated the effects of resistances on ET estimation and discussed possible solutions. The results show that more complex resistance parameterizations leads to more uncertainty, although prior calibration can improve the ET estimates and that a new model without resistance parameterization introduces less uncertainty into the ET estimation.
Kathrin Gatzsche, Wolfgang Babel, Eva Falge, Rex David Pyles, Kyaw Tha Paw U, Armin Raabe, and Thomas Foken
Biogeosciences, 15, 2945–2960, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2945-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-15-2945-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
The ecosystem is a significant sink of carbon dioxide. To quantify this sink, very complex and validated models are required. However, the comparison of modeled and measured energy and matter fluxes in a heterogeneous landscape is still a challenge. On the one hand, models must be applied for various surface types, while on the other hand the comparison of the fluxes is only possible based on the flux source areas. This paper treats the potential aggregation of modeled fluxes and its validation.
John Kochendorfer, Rodica Nitu, Mareile Wolff, Eva Mekis, Roy Rasmussen, Bruce Baker, Michael E. Earle, Audrey Reverdin, Kai Wong, Craig D. Smith, Daqing Yang, Yves-Alain Roulet, Tilden Meyers, Samuel Buisan, Ketil Isaksen, Ragnar Brækkan, Scott Landolt, and Al Jachcik
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 22, 1437–1452, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-1437-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-1437-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Due to the effects of wind, precipitation gauges typically underestimate the amount of precipitation that occurs as snow. Measurements recorded during a World Meteorological Organization intercomparison of precipitation gauges were used to evaluate and improve the adjustments that are available to address this issue. Adjustments for specific types of precipitation gauges and wind shields were tested and recommended.
David S. Sayres, Ronald Dobosy, Claire Healy, Edward Dumas, John Kochendorfer, Jason Munster, Jordan Wilkerson, Bruce Baker, and James G. Anderson
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 8619–8633, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-8619-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-8619-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Arctic temperatures have risen faster than the global average, causing the depth of melting of the frozen ground to increase. Previously frozen organic carbon, once exposed to air, water, and microbes, is turned into carbon dioxide and methane, both of which are important greenhouse gases. Due to the large and varied surface area of the Arctic and the difficulty of making measurements there we use a low flying aircraft (<25 m) to measure the amount of methane released from different regions.
John Kochendorfer, Rodica Nitu, Mareile Wolff, Eva Mekis, Roy Rasmussen, Bruce Baker, Michael E. Earle, Audrey Reverdin, Kai Wong, Craig D. Smith, Daqing Yang, Yves-Alain Roulet, Samuel Buisan, Timo Laine, Gyuwon Lee, Jose Luis C. Aceituno, Javier Alastrué, Ketil Isaksen, Tilden Meyers, Ragnar Brækkan, Scott Landolt, Al Jachcik, and Antti Poikonen
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 3525–3542, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3525-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3525-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Precipitation measurements were combined from eight separate precipitation testbeds to create multi-site transfer functions for the correction of unshielded and single-Alter-shielded precipitation gauge measurements. Site-specific errors and more universally applicable corrections were created from these WMO-SPICE measurements. The importance and magnitude of such wind speed corrections were demonstrated.
John Kochendorfer, Roy Rasmussen, Mareile Wolff, Bruce Baker, Mark E. Hall, Tilden Meyers, Scott Landolt, Al Jachcik, Ketil Isaksen, Ragnar Brækkan, and Ronald Leeper
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 1973–1989, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-1973-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-1973-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Snowfall measurements recorded using precipitation gauges are subject to significant underestimation due to the effects of wind. Using measurements recorded at two different precipitation test beds, corrections for unshielded gauges and gauges within different types of windshields were developed and tested. Using the new corrections, uncorrectable errors were quantified, and measurement biases were successfully eliminated.
Samuel T. Buisán, Michael E. Earle, José Luís Collado, John Kochendorfer, Javier Alastrué, Mareile Wolff, Craig D. Smith, and Juan I. López-Moreno
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 1079–1091, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1079-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1079-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Within the framework of the WMO-SPICE (Solid Precipitation Intercomparison Experiment) the Thies tipping bucket precipitation gauge, widely used at AEMET, was assessed against the SPICE reference.
Most countries use tipping buckets and for this reason the underestimation of snowfall precipitation is a large-scale problem.
The methodology presented here can be used by other national weather services to test precipitation bias corrections and to identify regions where errors are higher.
R. D. Leeper and J. Kochendorfer
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 8, 2291–2300, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-2291-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-8-2291-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
Evaporation from precipitation gauges can bias measurements lower. The use of evaporation suppressants may not always be practical, considering the added cost of maintenance, transport, and disposal of the gauge additive. In this field study, two quality assurance methods used to evaluate depth change for the US Climate Reference Network were compared. Results from this study indicate calculation techniques can reduce the impact of gauge evaporation on precipitation measurements.
L. Xu, R. D. Pyles, K. T. Paw U, S. H. Chen, and E. Monier
Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 2917–2932, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-2917-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-2917-2014, 2014
H. Ikawa, I. Faloona, J. Kochendorfer, K. T. Paw U, and W. C. Oechel
Biogeosciences, 10, 4419–4432, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-4419-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-10-4419-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Subject: Others (Wind, Precipitation, Temperature, etc.) | Technique: In Situ Measurement | Topic: Instruments and Platforms
A new versatile dropsonde for atmospheric soundings – the KITsonde
Justification for high-ascent attainment for balloon radiosonde soundings at GRUAN and other sites
An introduction of the Three-Dimensional Precipitation Particle Imager (3D-PPI)
SAMURAI-S: Sonic Anemometer on a MUlti-Rotor drone for Atmospheric turbulence Investigation in a Sling load configuration
Improving the accuracy in particle concentration measurements of a balloon-borne optical particle counter UCASS
Method development and application for the analysis of chiral organic marker species in ice cores
The ratio of transverse to longitudinal turbulent velocity statistics for aircraft measurements
High-resolution wind speed measurements with quadcopter uncrewed aerial systems: calibration and verification in a wind tunnel with an active grid
High-altitude balloon-launched uncrewed aircraft system measurements of atmospheric turbulence and qualitative comparison with infrasound microphone response
Evaluation of the hyperspectral radiometer (HSR1) at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) site
Cost-effective off-grid automatic precipitation samplers for pollutant and biogeochemical atmospheric deposition
Modelling of cup anemometry and dynamic overspeeding in average wind speed measurements
Introducing the Video In Situ Snowfall Sensor (VISSS)
Quality evaluation for measurements of wind field and turbulent fluxes from a UAV-based eddy covariance system
A new reference-quality precipitation gauge wind shield
Long-term airborne measurements of pollutants over the United Kingdom to support air quality model development and evaluation
Acquiring high-resolution wind measurements by modifying radiosonde sounding procedures
A new accurate low-cost instrument for fast synchronized spatial measurements of light spectra
Drone-based meteorological observations up to the tropopause – a concept study
A new airborne broadband radiometer system and an efficient method to correct dynamic thermal offsets
Toward quantifying turbulent vertical airflow and sensible heat flux in tall forest canopies using fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing
A fiber-optic distributed temperature sensor for continuous in situ profiling up to 2 km beneath constant-altitude scientific balloons
New Absolute Cavity Pyrgeometer equation by application of Kirchhoff's law and adding a convection term
The DataHawk2 uncrewed aircraft system for atmospheric research
The measurement of mean wind, variances, and covariances from an instrumented mobile car in a rural environment
ICE-CAMERA: a flatbed scanner to study inland Antarctic polar precipitation
3D trajectories and velocities of rainfall drops in a multifractal turbulent wind field
Towards vertical wind and turbulent flux estimation with multicopter uncrewed aircraft systems
Instabilities, Dynamics, and Energetics accompanying Atmospheric Layering (IDEAL): high-resolution in situ observations and modeling in and above the nocturnal boundary layer
Infrasound measurement system for real-time in situ tornado measurements
Quantifying the coastal urban surface layer structure using distributed temperature sensing in Helsinki, Finland
On the quality of RS41 radiosonde descent data
Idealized simulation study of the relationship of disdrometer sampling statistics with the precision of precipitation rate measurement
Use of thermal signal for the investigation of near-surface turbulence
Drone measurements of surface-based winter temperature inversions in the High Arctic at Eureka
Ground mobile observation system for measuring multisurface microwave emissivity
A differential emissivity imaging technique for measuring hydrometeor mass and type
Effect of snow-covered ground albedo on the accuracy of air temperature measurements
Distributed wind measurements with multiple quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles in the atmospheric boundary layer
The INFRA-EAR: a low-cost mobile multidisciplinary measurement platform for monitoring geophysical parameters
A dedicated robust instrument for water vapor generation at low humidity for use with a laser water isotope analyzer in cold and dry polar regions
Arctic observations and numerical simulations of surface wind effects on Multi-Angle Snowflake Camera measurements
The development of the “Storm Tracker” and its applications for atmospheric high-resolution upper-air observations
Use of automatic radiosonde launchers to measure temperature and humidity profiles from the GRUAN perspective
Using global reanalysis data to quantify and correct airflow distortion bias in shipborne wind speed measurements
The CopterSonde: an insight into the development of a smart unmanned aircraft system for atmospheric boundary layer research
Microphysical properties and fall speed measurements of snow ice crystals using the Dual Ice Crystal Imager (D-ICI)
The Disdrometer Verification Network (DiVeN): a UK network of laser precipitation instruments
The new BELUGA setup for collocated turbulence and radiation measurements using a tethered balloon: first applications in the cloudy Arctic boundary layer
Identification of platform exhaust on the RV Investigator
Christoph Kottmeier, Andreas Wieser, Ulrich Corsmeier, Norbert Kalthoff, Philipp Gasch, Bastian Kirsch, Dörthe Ebert, Zbigniew Ulanowski, Dieter Schell, Harald Franke, Florian Schmidmer, Johannes Frielingsdorf, Thomas Feuerle, and Rudolf Hankers
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 3161–3178, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-3161-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-3161-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
A new aerological dropsonde system for research aircraft has been developed. The system allows up to four sondes to be dropped with one release container, and data from up to 30 sondes can be transmitted simultaneously. The sondes enable high-resolution profiling of temperature, humidity, pressure, and wind. Additional sensors for radioactivity and particles have been integrated and tested. Operations in different campaigns have confirmed the reliability of the system and the quality of data.
Masatomo Fujiwara, Bomin Sun, Anthony Reale, Domenico Cimini, Salvatore Larosa, Lori Borg, Christoph von Rohden, Michael Sommer, Ruud Dirksen, Marion Maturilli, Holger Vömel, Rigel Kivi, Bruce Ingleby, Ryan J. Kramer, Belay Demoz, Fabio Madonna, Fabien Carminati, Owen Lewis, Brett Candy, Christopher Thomas, David Edwards, Noersomadi, Kensaku Shimizu, and Peter Thorne
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 2919–2955, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2919-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2919-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We assess and illustrate the benefits of high-altitude attainment of balloon-borne radiosonde soundings up to and beyond 10 hPa level from various aspects. We show that the extra costs and technical challenges involved in consistent attainment of high ascents are more than outweighed by the benefits for a broad variety of real-time and delayed-mode applications. Consistent attainment of high ascents should therefore be pursued across the balloon observational network.
Jiayi Shi, Xichuan Liu, Lei Liu, Liying Liu, and Peng Wang
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 2261–2278, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2261-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2261-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The Three-Dimensional Precipitation Particle Imager (3D-PPI) was introduced as a new instrument to measure the three-dimensional shape, size, and falling velocity of precipitation particles. Field experiments of the 3D-PPI were conducted in Tulihe, China, during the winter of 2023 to 2024. More than 880 000 snowflakes in a typical snowfall case lasting 13 h were recorded. It shows potential applications in atmospheric science, polar research, and other fields.
Mauro Ghirardelli, Stephan T. Kral, Etienne Cheynet, and Joachim Reuder
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 2103–2124, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2103-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2103-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The SAMURAI-S system is an innovative measurement tool combining a high accuracy wind sensor with a multi-rotor drone to improve atmospheric turbulence observations. While traditional methods lack flexibility and accuracy in dynamic environments, SAMURAI-S provides high maneuverability and precise 3D wind measurements. The research demonstrated the system's ability to match the data quality of conventional methods, with a slight overestimation in vertical turbulence under higher wind conditions.
Sina Jost, Ralf Weigel, Konrad Kandler, Luis Valero, Jessica Girdwood, Chris Stopford, Warren Stanley, Luca Katharina Eichhorn, Christian von Glahn, and Holger Tost
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-451, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-451, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
For the balloon-borne detection of particles (diameter 0.4 < Dp < 40 µm), a Universal Cloud and Aerosol Sounding System (UCASS) was used, whose sample flow is determined by GPS-measured ascent rates. In flights, actual UCASS sample flows rarely match the ascent rates. Errors are minimized by real-time detection of the UCASS flows, e.g. by implementing a thermal flow sensor (TFS) within the UCASS. The TFSs were tested in flight, and calibrated at up to 10 m s-1 and at variable angles of attack.
Johanna Schäfer, Anja Beschnitt, François Burgay, Thomas Singer, Margit Schwikowski, and Thorsten Hoffmann
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 421–430, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-421-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-421-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Glaciers preserve organic compounds from atmospheric aerosols, which can serve as markers for emission sources. Most studies overlook the enantiomers of chiral compounds. We developed a two-dimensional liquid chromatography method to determine the chiral ratios of the monoterpene oxidation products cis-pinic acid and cis-pinonic acid in ice-core samples. Applied to samples from the Belukha Glacier (1870–1970 CE), the method revealed fluctuating chiral ratios for the analytes.
Jakub L. Nowak, Marie Lothon, Donald H. Lenschow, and Szymon P. Malinowski
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 93–114, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-93-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-93-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
According to classical theory, the ratio of turbulence statistics corresponding to transverse and longitudinal wind velocity components equals 4/3 in the inertial range of scales. We analyse a large number of measurements obtained with three research aircraft during four field experiments in different locations and show that the observed ratios are almost always significantly smaller. We discuss potential reasons for this disagreement, but the actual explanation remains to be determined.
Johannes Kistner, Lars Neuhaus, and Norman Wildmann
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 4941–4955, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4941-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4941-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We use a fleet of multicopter drones to measure wind. To improve the accuracy of this wind measurement and to evaluate this improvement, we conducted experiments with the drones in a wind tunnel under various conditions. This wind tunnel can generate different kinds and intensities of wind. Here we measured with the drones and with other sensors as a reference and compared the results. We were able to improve our wind measurement and show how accurately it works in different situations.
Anisa N. Haghighi, Ryan D. Nolin, Gary D. Pundsack, Nick Craine, Aliaksei Stratsilatau, and Sean C. C. Bailey
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 4863–4889, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4863-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-4863-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This work summarizes measurements conducted in June 2021 using a small, uncrewed, stratospheric glider that was launched from a weather balloon to altitudes up to 30 km above sea level. The aircraft conducted measurements of wind speed and direction, pressure, temperature, and humidity during its descent as well as measurements of infrasonic sound levels. These data were used to evaluate the atmospheric turbulence observed during the descent phase of the flight.
Kelly A. Balmes, Laura D. Riihimaki, John Wood, Connor Flynn, Adam Theisen, Michael Ritsche, Lynn Ma, Gary B. Hodges, and Christian Herrera
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 3783–3807, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3783-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3783-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
A new hyperspectral radiometer (HSR1) was deployed and evaluated in the central United States (northern Oklahoma). The HSR1 total spectral irradiance agreed well with nearby existing instruments, but the diffuse spectral irradiance was slightly smaller. The HSR1-retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) also agreed well with other retrieved AODs. The HSR1 performance is encouraging: new hyperspectral knowledge is possible that could inform atmospheric process understanding and weather forecasting.
Alessia A. Colussi, Daniel Persaud, Melodie Lao, Bryan K. Place, Rachel F. Hems, Susan E. Ziegler, Kate A. Edwards, Cora J. Young, and Trevor C. VandenBoer
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 3697–3718, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3697-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3697-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
A new modular and affordable instrument was developed to automatically collect wet deposition continuously with an off-grid solar top-up power package. Monthly collections were performed across the Newfoundland and Labrador Boreal Ecosystem Latitudinal Transect of experimental forest sites from 2015 to 2016. The proof-of-concept systems were validated with baseline measurements of pH and conductivity and then applied to dissolved organic carbon as an analyte of emerging biogeochemical interest.
Troels Friis Pedersen and Jan-Åke Dahlberg
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 1441–1461, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1441-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-1441-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Accuracy is important in wind speed measurements with cup anemometers. Dynamic overspeeding is historically considered an inherent and significant error, supported by a two-cup drag model. But lower (and even zero) overspeeding might be present for low-to-medium turbulence intensities for conical cups with short arms. A parabolic torque model reveals various dynamic overspeeding characteristics of cup anemometers, but modelling of actual cup anemometers is best made with tabulated data.
Maximilian Maahn, Dmitri Moisseev, Isabelle Steinke, Nina Maherndl, and Matthew D. Shupe
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 899–919, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-899-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-899-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The open-source Video In Situ Snowfall Sensor (VISSS) is a novel instrument for characterizing particle shape, size, and sedimentation velocity in snowfall. It combines a large observation volume with relatively high resolution and a design that limits wind perturbations. The open-source nature of the VISSS hardware and software invites the community to contribute to the development of the instrument, which has many potential applications in atmospheric science and beyond.
Yibo Sun, Bilige Sude, Xingwen Lin, Bing Geng, Bo Liu, Shengnan Ji, Junping Jing, Zhiping Zhu, Ziwei Xu, Shaomin Liu, and Zhanjun Quan
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 5659–5679, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5659-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5659-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide a versatile platform for eddy covariance (EC) flux measurements at regional scales with low cost, transport, and infrastructural requirements. This study evaluates the measurement performance in the wind field and turbulent flux of a UAV-based EC system based on the data from a set of calibration flights and standard operational flights and concludes that the system can measure the georeferenced wind vector and turbulent flux with sufficient precision.
John Kochendorfer, Tilden P. Meyers, Mark E. Hall, Scott D. Landolt, Justin Lentz, and Howard J. Diamond
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 5647–5657, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5647-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-5647-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
A new wind shield has been designed to reduce the effects of precipitation gauge undercatch. Tested at three separate sites, it compared well to a well-established refence-quality precipitation wind shield. The new wind shield is smaller and more durable than other reference-quality shields, and it was designed for use in operational weather and climate networks.
Angela Mynard, Joss Kent, Eleanor R. Smith, Andy Wilson, Kirsty Wivell, Noel Nelson, Matthew Hort, James Bowles, David Tiddeman, Justin M. Langridge, Benjamin Drummond, and Steven J. Abel
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 4229–4261, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4229-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4229-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Air quality models are key in understanding complex air pollution processes and assist in developing strategies to mitigate the impacts of air pollution. The ability of regional air quality models to skilfully represent pollutant distributions aloft is important to enabling their skilful prediction at the surface. To assist in model development and evaluation, a long-term, quality-assured dataset of the 3-D distribution of key pollutants was collected over the United Kingdom (2019–2022).
Jens Faber, Michael Gerding, and Torsten Köpnick
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 4183–4193, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4183-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4183-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Weather forecasters around the world use uncrewed balloons to measure wind and temperature for their weather models. In these measurements, wind is recorded from the shift of the balloon by the moving air. However, the balloons and the measurement devices also move by themselves in still air. This creates artificial wind measurements that are normally removed from the data. We show new techniques to avoid these movements and increase the altitude resolution of the wind measurement by 6 times.
Bert G. Heusinkveld, Wouter B. Mol, and Chiel C. van Heerwaarden
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 3767–3785, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3767-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3767-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This paper presents a new instrument for fast measurements of solar irradiance in 18 wavebands (400–950 nm): GPS perfectly synchronizes 10 Hz measurement speed to universal time, low-cost (< EUR 200) complete standalone solution for realizing dense measurement grids to study cloud-shading dynamics, 940 nm waveband reveals atmospheric moisture column information, 11 wavebands to study photosynthetic active radiation and light interaction with vegetation, and good reflection spectra performance.
Konrad B. Bärfuss, Holger Schmithüsen, and Astrid Lampert
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 3739–3765, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3739-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-3739-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The first atmospheric soundings with an electrically powered small uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) up to an altitude of 10 km are presented and assessed for quality, revealing the potential to augment atmospheric observations and fill observation gaps for numerical weather prediction. This is significant because of the need for high-resolution meteorological data, in particular in remote areas with limited in situ measurements, and for reference data for satellite measurement calibration.
André Ehrlich, Martin Zöger, Andreas Giez, Vladyslav Nenakhov, Christian Mallaun, Rolf Maser, Timo Röschenthaler, Anna E. Luebke, Kevin Wolf, Bjorn Stevens, and Manfred Wendisch
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 1563–1581, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-1563-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-1563-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Measurements of the broadband radiative energy budget from aircraft are needed to study the effect of clouds, aerosol particles, and surface conditions on the Earth's energy budget. However, the moving aircraft introduces challenges to the instrument performance and post-processing of the data. This study introduces a new radiometer package, outlines a greatly simplifying method to correct thermal offsets, and provides exemplary measurements of solar and thermal–infrared irradiance.
Mohammad Abdoli, Karl Lapo, Johann Schneider, Johannes Olesch, and Christoph K. Thomas
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 809–824, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-809-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-809-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we compute the distributed sensible heat flux using a distributed temperature sensing technique, whose magnitude, sign, and temporal dynamics compare reasonably well to estimates from classical eddy covariance measurements from sonic anemometry. Despite the remaining uncertainty in computed fluxes, the results demonstrate the potential of the novel method to compute spatially resolving sensible heat flux measurement and encourage further research.
J. Douglas Goetz, Lars E. Kalnajs, Terry Deshler, Sean M. Davis, Martina Bramberger, and M. Joan Alexander
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 791–807, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-791-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-791-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
An instrument for in situ continuous 2 km vertical profiles of temperature below high-altitude balloons was developed for high-temporal-resolution measurements within the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere using fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing. The mechanical, electrical, and temperature calibration systems were validated from a short mid-latitude constant-altitude balloon flight within the lower stratosphere. The instrument observed small-scale and inertial gravity waves.
Bruce W. Forgan, Julian Gröbner, and Ibrahim Reda
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 727–743, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-727-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-727-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This paper investigates the Absolute Cavity Pyrgeometer (ACP) and its use in measuring atmospheric terrestrial irradiances traceable to the standard system of units (SI). This work fits into the objective of the Expert Team on Radiation References, established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), to develop and validate instrumentation that can be used as reference instruments for terrestrial radiation measurements.
Jonathan Hamilton, Gijs de Boer, Abhiram Doddi, and Dale A. Lawrence
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 6789–6806, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6789-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6789-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The DataHawk2 is a small, low-cost, rugged, uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) used to observe the thermodynamic and turbulence structures of the lower atmosphere, supporting an advanced understanding of the physical processes that regulate weather and climate. This paper discusses the development, performance, and sensing capabilities of the DataHawk2 using data collected during several recent field deployments.
Stefan J. Miller and Mark Gordon
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 6563–6584, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6563-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6563-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This research investigates the measurement of atmospheric turbulence using a low-cost instrumented car that travels at near-highway speeds and is impacted by upwind obstructions and other on-road traffic. We show that our car design can successfully measure the mean flow and atmospheric turbulence near the surface. We outline a technique to isolate and remove the effects of sporadic passing traffic from car-measured velocity variances and discuss potential measurement uncertainties.
Massimo Del Guasta
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 6521–6544, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6521-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-6521-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Any instrument on the Antarctic plateau must cope with a harsh environment. Concordia station is a special place for testing new instruments. With low temperatures and weak winds, precipitation can be studied by simply collecting it on horizontal surfaces. This is typically done manually. ICE-CAMERA is intended as an automatic alternative. The combined construction of rugged equipment for taking photographs of particles and the adoption of machine learning techniques have served this purpose.
Auguste Gires, Ioulia Tchiguirinskaia, and Daniel Schertzer
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 5861–5875, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-5861-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-5861-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Weather radars measure rainfall in altitude whereas hydro-meteorologists are mainly interested in rainfall at ground level. During their fall, drops are advected by the wind which affects the location of the measured field. Governing equation linking acceleration, gravity, buoyancy, and drag force is updated to account for oblateness of drops. Then multifractal wind is used as input to explore velocities and trajectories of drops. Finally consequence on radar rainfall estimation is discussed.
Norman Wildmann and Tamino Wetz
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 5465–5477, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-5465-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-5465-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Multicopter uncrewed aerial systems (UAS, also known as drones) are very easy to use systems for collecting data in the lowest part of the atmosphere. Wind and turbulence are parameters that are particularly important for understanding the dynamics in the atmosphere. Only with three-dimensional measurements of the wind can a full understanding can be achieved. In this study, we show how even the vertical wind through the UAS can be measured with good accuracy.
Abhiram Doddi, Dale Lawrence, David Fritts, Ling Wang, Thomas Lund, William Brown, Dragan Zajic, and Lakshmi Kantha
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 4023–4045, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-4023-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-4023-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Small-scale turbulent structures are ubiquitous in the atmosphere, yet our understanding of their structure and dynamics is vastly incomplete. IDEAL aimed to improve our understanding of small-scale turbulent flow features in the lower atmosphere. A small, unmanned, fixed-wing aircraft was employed to make targeted observations of atmospheric columns. Measured data were used to guide atmospheric model simulations designed to describe the structure and dynamics of small-scale turbulence.
Brandon C. White, Brian R. Elbing, and Imraan A. Faruque
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 2923–2938, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2923-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2923-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Tornadic storms have been hypothesized to emit sound at frequencies below human hearing which animals and certain microphones can detect. This study covers the design, fabrication, and deployment of a specialized microphone that can be carried by first responders and storm chasers. The study also presents real-time processing methods, analyzes several recorded severe weather events including a tornado, and introduces a real-time web interface to allow for live monitoring of the mobile sensor.
Sasu Karttunen, Ewan O'Connor, Olli Peltola, and Leena Järvi
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 2417–2432, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2417-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-2417-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
To study the complex structure of the lowest tens of metres of atmosphere in urban areas, measurement methods with great spatial and temporal coverage are needed. In our study, we analyse measurements with a promising and relatively new method, distributed temperature sensing, capable of providing detailed information on the near-surface atmosphere. We present multiple ways to utilise these kinds of measurements, as well as important considerations for planning new studies using the method.
Bruce Ingleby, Martin Motl, Graeme Marlton, David Edwards, Michael Sommer, Christoph von Rohden, Holger Vömel, and Hannu Jauhiainen
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 165–183, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-165-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-165-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Radiosonde descent data could provide extra profiles of the atmosphere for forecasting and other uses. Descent data from Vaisala RS41 radiosondes have been compared with the ascent profiles and with ECMWF short-range forecasts. The agreement is mostly good. The descent rate is very variable and high descent rates cause temperature biases, especially at upper levels. Ascent winds are affected by pendulum motion; on average, the descent winds are smoother.
Karlie N. Rees and Timothy J. Garrett
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 7681–7691, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7681-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7681-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Monte Carlo simulations are used to establish baseline precipitation measurement uncertainties according to World Meteorological Organization standards. Measurement accuracy depends on instrument sampling area, time interval, and precipitation rate. Simulations are compared with field measurements taken by an emerging hotplate precipitation sensor. We find that the current collection area is sufficient for light rain, but a larger collection area is required to detect moderate to heavy rain.
Matthias Zeeman
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 7475–7493, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7475-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7475-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Understanding turbulence near the surface is important for many applications. In this work, methods for observing and analysing temperature structures in a near-surface volume were explored. Experiments were conducted to identify modes of organised motion. These help explain interactions between the vegetation and the atmosphere that are not currently well understood. Techniques used include fibre-optic sensing, thermal infrared imaging, signal decomposition, and machine learning.
Alexey B. Tikhomirov, Glen Lesins, and James R. Drummond
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 7123–7145, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7123-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7123-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Two commercial quadcopters (DJI Matrice 100 and M210 RTK) were equipped with an air temperature measurement system. They were flown at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory, Eureka, Nunavut, Canada, at 80° N latitude to study surface-based temperature inversion during February–March field campaigns in 2017 and 2020. It was demonstrated that the drones can be effectively used in the High Arctic to measure vertical temperature profiles up to 75 m off the ground.
Wenying He, Hongbin Chen, Yuejian Xuan, Jun Li, Minzheng Duan, and Weidong Nan
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 7069–7078, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7069-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-7069-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Large microwave surface emissivities (ε) cause difficulties in widely using satellite microwave data over land. Usually, ground-based radiometers are fixed to a scan field to obtain the temporal evolution of ε over a single land-cover area. To obtain the long-term temporal evolution of ε over different land-cover surfaces simultaneously, we developed a ground mobile observation system to enhance in situ ε observations and presented some preliminary results.
Dhiraj K. Singh, Spencer Donovan, Eric R. Pardyjak, and Timothy J. Garrett
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 6973–6990, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6973-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6973-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This paper describes a new instrument for quantifying the physical characteristics of hydrometeors such as snow and rain. The device can measure the mass, size, density and type of individual hydrometeors as well as their bulk properties. The instrument is called the Differential Emissivity Imaging Disdrometer (DEID) and is composed of a thermal camera and hotplate. The DEID measures hydrometeors at sampling frequencies up to 1 Hz with masses and effective diameters greater than 1 µg and 200 µm.
Chiara Musacchio, Graziano Coppa, Gaber Begeš, Christina Hofstätter-Mohler, Laura Massano, Guido Nigrelli, Francesca Sanna, and Andrea Merlone
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 6195–6212, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6195-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-6195-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In the context of the overhaul of the WMO/CIMO guide (no. 8) on instruments and methods of observation, we performed an experiment to quantify uncertainties in air temperature measurements due to reflected solar radiation from a snow-covered surface. Coupled sensors with different radiation shields were put under different ground conditions (grass vs. snow) for a whole winter. Results show that different shields may reduce the influence of backward radiation, which can produce errors up to 3 °C.
Tamino Wetz, Norman Wildmann, and Frank Beyrich
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3795–3814, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3795-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3795-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A fleet of quadrotors is presented as a system to measure the spatial distribution of atmospheric boundary layer flow. The big advantage of this approach is that multiple and flexible measurement points in space can be sampled synchronously. The algorithm to calculate the horizontal wind is based on the principle of aerodynamic drag and the related quadrotor dynamics. The validation reveals that an average accuracy of < 0.3 m s−1 for the wind speed and < 8° for the wind direction was achieved.
Olivier F. C. den Ouden, Jelle D. Assink, Cornelis D. Oudshoorn, Dominique Filippi, and Läslo G. Evers
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 3301–3317, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3301-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-3301-2021, 2021
Christophe Leroy-Dos Santos, Mathieu Casado, Frédéric Prié, Olivier Jossoud, Erik Kerstel, Morgane Farradèche, Samir Kassi, Elise Fourré, and Amaëlle Landais
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 2907–2918, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2907-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2907-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We developed an instrument that can generate water vapor at low humidity at a very stable level. This instrument was conceived to calibrate water vapor isotopic records obtained in very dry places such as central Antarctica. Here, we provide details on the instrument as well as results obtained for correcting water isotopic records for diurnal variability during a long field season at the Concordia station in East Antarctica.
Kyle E. Fitch, Chaoxun Hang, Ahmad Talaei, and Timothy J. Garrett
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 14, 1127–1142, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1127-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-1127-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Snow measurements are very sensitive to wind. Here, we compare airflow and snowfall simulations to Arctic observations for a Multi-Angle Snowflake Camera to show that measurements of fall speed, orientation, and size are accurate only with a double wind fence and winds below 5 m s−1. In this case, snowflakes tend to fall with a nearly horizontal orientation; the largest flakes are as much as 5 times more likely to be observed. Adjustments are needed for snow falling in naturally turbulent air.
Wei-Chun Hwang, Po-Hsiung Lin, and Hungjui Yu
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 5395–5406, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-5395-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-5395-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We have developed a small, light-weight (radiosonde of 20 g with battery), low-cost, and easy-to-use upper-air radiosonde system: the Storm Tracker. With the ability to receive multiple radiosondes simultaneously, the system enables high temporal and spatial resolution atmospheric observations. In the 2018 field campaign, the accuracy of the Storm tracker was tested using co-launched data with Vaisala RS41-SGP radiosondes, and the measurements show an overall good agreement.
Fabio Madonna, Rigel Kivi, Jean-Charles Dupont, Bruce Ingleby, Masatomo Fujiwara, Gonzague Romanens, Miguel Hernandez, Xavier Calbet, Marco Rosoldi, Aldo Giunta, Tomi Karppinen, Masami Iwabuchi, Shunsuke Hoshino, Christoph von Rohden, and Peter William Thorne
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 3621–3649, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-3621-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-3621-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Radiosondes are one of the primary sources of upper-air data for weather and climate monitoring. In the last two decades, technological progress made available automated radiosonde launchers (ARLs), which are able to replace measurements typically performed manually. This work presents a comparative analysis of the technical performance of the ARLs currently available on the market and contribute to define a strategy to achieve the full traceability of the ARL products.
Sebastian Landwehr, Iris Thurnherr, Nicolas Cassar, Martin Gysel-Beer, and Julia Schmale
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 3487–3506, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-3487-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-3487-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Shipborne wind speed measurements are relevant for field studies of air–sea interaction processes. Distortion of the airflow by the ship’s structure can, however, lead to errors. We estimate the flow distortion bias by comparing the observations to ERA-5 reanalysis data. The underlying assumptions are that the bias depends only on the relative orientation of the ship to the wind direction and that the ERA-5 wind speeds are (on average) representative of the true wind speed.
Antonio R. Segales, Brian R. Greene, Tyler M. Bell, William Doyle, Joshua J. Martin, Elizabeth A. Pillar-Little, and Phillip B. Chilson
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 2833–2848, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-2833-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-2833-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The CopterSonde is an unmanned aircraft system designed with the purpose of sampling thermodynamic and kinematic parameters of the lower Earth's atmosphere, with a focus on vertical profiles in the planetary boundary layer. By incorporating adaptive sampling techniques and optimizing the sensor placement, our study shows that CopterSonde can provide similar information as a radiosonde, but with more control of its sampling location at much higher temporal and spatial resolution.
Thomas Kuhn and Sandra Vázquez-Martín
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 1273–1285, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-1273-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-1273-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Directly measured shape and fall speed are two important parameters needed for models and remote sensing. This can be done by the new Dual Ice Crystal Imager (D-ICI) instrument, which takes two high-resolution pictures of falling snow crystals from two different angles. Fall speed is measured by doubly exposing the side-view picture. Size and shape are determined from the second picture providing the top view of the snow crystal. D-ICI has been tested on the ground in Kiruna, northern Sweden.
Ben S. Pickering, Ryan R. Neely III, and Dawn Harrison
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 5845–5861, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-5845-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-5845-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
A new network of precipitation instruments has been established for the UK. The instruments are capable of detecting the fall velocity and diameter of each particle that falls through a laser beam. The particle characteristics are derived from the duration and amount of decrease in beam brightness as perceived by a receiving diode. A total of 14 instruments make up the network and all instruments upload 60 s frequency data in near-real time to a publicly available website with plots.
Ulrike Egerer, Matthias Gottschalk, Holger Siebert, André Ehrlich, and Manfred Wendisch
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 4019–4038, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-4019-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-4019-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we introduce the new tethered balloon system BELUGA, which includes different modular instrument packages for measuring turbulence and radiation in the atmospheric boundary layer. BELUGA was deployed in an Arctic field campaign in 2017, providing details of boundary layer processes in combination with low-level clouds. Those processes are still not fully understood and in situ measurements in the Arctic improve our understanding of the Arctic response in terms of global warming.
Ruhi S. Humphries, Ian M. McRobert, Will A. Ponsonby, Jason P. Ward, Melita D. Keywood, Zoe M. Loh, Paul B. Krummel, and James Harnwell
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 3019–3038, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-3019-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-3019-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Undertaking atmospheric observations from ships provides important data in regions where measurements are impossible by other means. However, making measurements so close to a diesel exhaust plume is difficult. In this paper, we describe an algorithm that utilises ongoing measurements of aerosol number concentrations, black carbon mass concentrations, and mixing ratios of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide to accurately distinguish between exhaust and background data periods.
Cited articles
Beyrich, F., Richter, S. H., Weisensee, U., Kohsiek, W., Lohse, H., de Bruin, H. A. R., Foken, T., Goeckede, M., Berger, F., Vogt, R., and Batchvarova, E.: Experimental determination of turbulent fluxes over the heterogeneous LITFASS area: selected results from the LITFASS-98 experiment, Theor. Appl. Climatol., 73, 19–34, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-002-0691-7, 2002.
Boone, A., Bellvert, J., Best, M., Brooke, J., Canut-Rocafort, G., Cuxart, J., Hartogensis, O., Le Moigne, P., Miró, J. R., Polcher, J., Price, J., Quintana Seguí, P., and Wooster, M.: Updates on the International Land Surface Interactions with the Atmophere over the Iberian Semi-Arid Environment (LIAISE) Field Campaign, GEWEX News, 31, 17–21, 2021.
Bosveld, F. C. and Beljaars, A. C. M.: The impact of sampling rate on eddy-covariance flux estimates, Agr. Forest Meteorol., 109, 39–45, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0168-1923(01)00257-x, 2001.
Brooke, J. K., Best, M. J., Lock, A. P., Osborne, S. R., Price, J., Cuxart, J., Boone, A., Canut-Rocafort, G., Hartogensis, O. K., and Roy, A.: Irrigation contrasts through the morning transition, Q. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 150, 170–194, https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.4590, 2024.
Foken, T.: Comparison of the sonic anemometer Young Model 81000 during VOITEX-99, Arbeitsergebnisse No. 8, Bayreuth, October 1999, ISSN 1614-8916, 1999.
Foken, T., Weisensee, U., Kirzel, H.-J., and Thiermann, V.: Comparison of new-type sonic anemometers, Preprint volume of the 12th Symposium on Boundary Layers and turbulence, 28 July–1 August 1997, Vancouver Canada, Am. Meteorol. Soc., Boston, 356–357, 1997.
Frank, J. M., Massman, W. J., and Ewers, B. E.: Underestimates of sensible heat flux due to vertical velocity measurement errors in nonorthogonal sonic anemometers, Agr. Forest Meteorol., 171–172, 72–81, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2012.11.005, 2013.
Frank, J. M., Massman, W. J., Swiatek, E., Zimmerman, H. A., and Ewers, B. E.: All sonic anemometers need to correct for transducer and structural shadowing in their velocity measurements, J. Atmos. Ocean Tech., 33, 149–167, https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-15-0171.1, 2016.
Frank, J. M., Massman, W. J., Chan, W. S., Nowicki, K., and Rafkin, S. C. R.: Coordinate Rotation–Amplification in the Uncertainty and Bias in Non-orthogonal Sonic Anemometer Vertical Wind Speeds, Bound.-Lay. Meteorol., 175, 203–235, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-020-00502-3, 2020.
Glabeke, G., Gigon, A., De Mulder, T., and van Beeck, J.: How accurate are ultrasonic anemometers, calibrated in a laminar wind tunnel, under turbulent conditions, J. Phys. Conf. Ser., 2767, 042023, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2767/4/042023, 2024.
Haugen, D. A., Kaimal, J. C., and Bradley, E. F.: An experimental study of Reynolds stress and heat flux in the atmospheric surface layer, Q. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 97, 168–180, 1971.
Horst, T. W., Semmer, S. R., and Maclean, G.: Correction of a non-orthogonal, three-component sonic anemometer for flow distortion by transducer shadowing, Bound.-Lay. Meteorol., 155, 371–395, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-015-0010-3, 2015.
Horst, T. W., Vogt, R., and Oncley, S. P.: Measurements of flow distortion within the IRGASON integrated sonic anemometer and CO2/H2O gas analyzer, Bound.-Lay. Meteorol., 160, 1–15, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-015-0123-8, 2016.
Huq, S., De Roo, F., Foken, T., and Mauder, M.: Evaluation of probe-induced flow distortion of Campbell CSAT3 sonic anemometers by numerical simulation, Bound.-Lay. Meteorol., 165, 9–28, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-017-0264-z, 2017.
Kleissl, J., Meneveau, C., and Parlange, M.B .: On the magnitude and variability of subgrid-scale eddy-diffusion coefficients in the atmospheric surface layer, J Atmos. Sci. 60, 2372–2388, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(2003)060<2372:otmavo>2.0.co;2, 2003.
Kochendorfer, J. and Paw U, K. T.: Field estimates of scalar advection across a canopy edge, Agr. Forest Meteorol., 151, 585–594, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2011.01.003, 2011.
Kochendorfer, J., Meyers, T. P., Frank, J. M., Massman, W. J., and Heuer, M. W.: How well can e measure the vertical wind speed? Implication for fluxes of energy and mass, Bound.-Lay. Meteorol., 145, 383–398, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-012-9738-1, 2012.
Lloyd, C.: A path to successful eddy covariance measurements, https://uk-scape.ceh.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2023-09/Eddy Covariance Handbook-V21.pdf (last access: 4 August 2024), 2023.
Loescher, H. W., Ocheltree, T., Tanner, B., Swiatek, E., Dano, B., Wong, J., Zimmerman, G., Campbell, J., Stock, C., Jacobsen, L., Shiga, Y., Kollas, J., Liburdy, J., and Law, B. E.: Comparison of temperature and wind statistics in contrasting environments among different sonic anemometer-thermometers, Agr. Forest Meteorol., 133, 119–138, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2005.08.009, 2005
Mangan, M. R., Hartogensis, O., Boone, A., Branch, O., Canut, G., Cuxart, J., de Boer, H. J., Le Page, M., Martínez-Villagrasa, D., Miró, J. R., Price, J., and Vilà-Guerau de Arellano, J.: The surface-boundary layer connection across spatial scales of irrigation-driven thermal heterogeneity: An integrated data and modeling study of the LIAISE field campaign, Agr. Forest Meterol., 335, 109452, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2023.109452, 2023.
Mauder, M.: A comment on “how well can we measure the vertical wind speed? Implications for fluxes or energy and mass” by Kochendorfer et al., Bound.-Lay. Meteorol. 147, 329–335, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-012-9794-6, 2013.
Mauder, M. and Zeeman, M. J.: Field intercomparison of prevailing sonic anemometers, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 11, 249–263, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-11-249-2018, 2018.
Mauder, M., Oncley, S. P., Vogt, R., Weidinger, T., Ribeiro, L., Bernhofer, C., Foken, T., Kohsiek, W., Bruin, H. A. R., and Liu, H.: The energy balance experiment EBEX-2000. Part II: Intercomparison of eddy-covariance sensors and post-field data processing methods, Bound. -Lay. Meteorol., 123, 29–54, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-006-9139-4, 2007.
Merry, M. and Panofsky, H. A.: Statistics of vertical motion over land and water, Q. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 102, 255–260, https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.49710243120, 1976.
Mortensen, N. G. and Højstrup, J.: The Solent sonic-response and associated errors, Preprint volume of the Ninth Symposium on Meteorological Observations and Instrumentation, Am. Meteorol. Soc., Boston, MA, 27–31 March 1995, 501–506, 1995.
Nakai, T., van der Molen, M. K., Gash, J. H. C., and Kodama, Y.: Correction of sonic anemometer angle of attack errors, Agr. Forest Meteorol., 136, 19–30, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2006.01.006, 2006.
Panofsky, H. A. and Dutton, J. A.: Atmospheric Turbulence, John Wiley & Sons, 397 pp., 1984.
Panofsky, H. A., Tennekes, H., Lenschow, D.., and Wyngaard, J. C.: The characteristics of turbulent velocity components in the surface layer under convective conditions, Bound.-Lay. Meteorol. 11, 355–361, https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02186086, 1977.
Paw U, K. T., Baldocchi, D. D., Meyers, T. P., and Wilson, K.: Correction of eddy-covariance measurements incorporating both advective effects and density fluxes, Bound.-Lay. Meteorol., 97, 487–451, https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1002786702909, 2000.
Paw U, K. T., Kent, E., Clay, J. M., Leinfelder-Miles, M., Lambert, J.-J., McAuliffe, M., Edgar, D., Freiberg, S., Gong, R., Metz, M., Little, C., and Temegsen, B.: Appendix B. Field campaign report for water years 2015–2016 and 2016–2017, in: A comparative study for estimating crop evapotranspiration in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, report for the Office of the Delta Watermaster, University of California, Davis, 2018.
Paw U, K. T., Clay, J. M., McAuliffe, M., Schmiedeler, M., and Mangan, M. R.: Appendix B. Measuring evapotranspiration in fallow and cropped field sin the California Delta 2018, in: Evapotranspiration of fallow field sin the California Delta, report for the Office of the Delta Watermaster, University of California, Davis, 2019.
Peña, A., Dellwik, E., and Mann, J.: A method to assess the accuracy of sonic anemometer measurements, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 237–252, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-237-2019, 2019.
Polonik, P., Chan, W. S., Billesbach, D. P., Burba, G., Li, J., Nottrott, A., Bogoev, I., Conrad, B., and Biraud, S. C.: Comparison of gas analyzers for eddy covariance: effects of analyzer type and spectra correctdions on fluxes, Agr. Forest Meteorol., 272–273, 128–142, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2019.02.010, 2019.
Sharan, M., Gopalakrishnan, S. G., and McNider, R. T.: A local parameterization scheme for σw under stable conditions, J. Appl. Meteorol. 38, 617–622, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(1999)038<0617:alpsfw>2.0.co;2, 1999.
Thurtell, G. W., Tanner, C. B., and Wesely, M. L.: Three-dimensional pressure-sphere anemometer system, J. Appl. Meteorol., 9, 379–385, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(1970)009<0379:tdpsas>2.0.co;2, 1970.
Wang, L., Lee, X., Wang, W., Wang, X., Wei, Z., Fu, C., Gao, Y., Lu, L., Song, W., Su, P., and Lin, G.: A meta-analysis of open-path eddy covariance observations of apparent CO2 flux in cold conditions in FLUXNET, J. Atmos. Ocean. Tech., 34, 2475–2487, https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-17-0085.1, 2017.
Wyngaard, J. C.: The effects of probe-induced flow distortion on atmospheric turbulence measurements, J. Appl. Meteorol., 20, 784–794, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(1981)020<0784:TEOPIF>2.0.CO;2, 1981.
Wyngaard, J. C., Cote, O. R., and Izumi, Y.: Local free convection, similarity, and the budgets of shear stess and heat flux, J. Atmos. Sci. 28, 1171–1182, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1971)028<1171:lfcsat>2.0.co;2, 1971.
Short summary
Sonic anemometers measure wind velocity in three dimensions. They are used worldwide to help assess the trace gas exchange, critical to understanding climate change. However, their physical framework interferes with the flow they measure. We present a new way of correcting measurements from sonic anemometers of several types. The method uses measurements of vertical wind velocity and other turbulent velocities, compares their ratios, and from this yields correction factors for sonic anemometers.
Sonic anemometers measure wind velocity in three dimensions. They are used worldwide to help...
