Performance Analysis of Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterization Schemes in WRF Modeling Set Up over Southern Italy

Abstract

Predictions of boundary layer meteorological parameters with accuracy are essential for achieving good weather and air quality regional forecast. In the present work, we have analyzed seven planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization schemes in a Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model over the Naples-Caserta region of Southern Italy. WRF model simulations were performed with 1-km horizontal resolution, and the results were compared against data collected by the small aircraft Sky Arrow Environmental Research Aircraft (ERA) during 7–9 October 2014. The selected PBL schemes include three first-order closure PBL schemes (ACM2, MRF, YSU) and four turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) closure schemes (MYJ, UW, MYNN2, and BouLac). A performance analysis of these PBL schemes has been investigated by validating them with aircraft measurements of meteorological parameters profiles (air temperature, specific humidity, wind speed, wind direction) and PBL height to assess their efficiency in terms of the reproduction of observed weather conditions. Results suggested that the TKE closure schemes perform better than first-order closure schemes, and the MYNN2 closure scheme is close to observed values most of the time. It is observed that the inland locations are better simulated than sea locations, and the morning periods are better simulated than those in the afternoon. The results are emphasizing that meteorology-induced variability is larger than the variability in PBL schemes.