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<p>The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is a key component of the lower troposphere, regulating local meteorological processes and controlling the vertical exchange of heat, moisture, momentum, and pollutants. Therefore, its accurate characterization is particularly important over data-sparse regions such as the western Himalayas. In view of this, ABL dynamics is investigated over a valley in the foothills of the north-western Himalayan region, using ground-based LiDAR observations, ERA5 reanalysis data, and the WRF model. For the first time, this study characterizes the ABL over a geophysically and ecologically sensitive Indian region across diverse atmospheric conditions, including clear skies, clouds, haze, and fog, using a ground-based LiDAR. The findings reveal that the monthly mean boundary layer height (BLH) peaks during daytime, reaching &gt; 2000&#xa0;m in April–May, and falls to its lowest levels (~ 700–850&#xa0;m) during December–January. The ERA5 BLH estimates are evaluated against Ceilometer observations, and it is found that the ERA5 appropriately reproduces the daytime BLH but significantly underestimates the nocturnal BLH during May and December. Furthermore, the study evaluated the performance of eight different BLH schemes, ACM2, BouLac, MRF, MYNN2.5, YSU, QNSE, MYJ, and MYNN, in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model during these months. The YSU scheme proved most effective during the winter and summer months, particularly during the daytime, while MYNN excelled at nighttime in these months. Overall, the performance of these two schemes is found to be better than that of the other schemes. The first year-long boundary layer observations using a ground-based LiDAR over the Doon Valley will provide valuable insights into its influence on the surface distribution of criteria air pollutants. Identifying a site-specific suitable WRF BLH scheme is crucial for air quality simulations, as accurate representation of vertical mixing directly improves the prediction of near-surface pollutant concentrations.</p>

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Investigation of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Dynamics Over the Himalayan Foothill Region: Insights from Ground-Based LiDAR Observations and WRF Model

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月6日

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  • Shuchita Srivastava,
  • Sandhya Singh,
  • Som Sharma,
  • Pooja Jindal,
  • C. Aparna,
  • Yogesh Kant,
  • Debashis Mitra,
  • Dharmendra Kumar Kamat,
  • Aniket Patel,
  • R. P. Singh,
  • Prakash Chauhan

摘要

The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is a key component of the lower troposphere, regulating local meteorological processes and controlling the vertical exchange of heat, moisture, momentum, and pollutants. Therefore, its accurate characterization is particularly important over data-sparse regions such as the western Himalayas. In view of this, ABL dynamics is investigated over a valley in the foothills of the north-western Himalayan region, using ground-based LiDAR observations, ERA5 reanalysis data, and the WRF model. For the first time, this study characterizes the ABL over a geophysically and ecologically sensitive Indian region across diverse atmospheric conditions, including clear skies, clouds, haze, and fog, using a ground-based LiDAR. The findings reveal that the monthly mean boundary layer height (BLH) peaks during daytime, reaching > 2000 m in April–May, and falls to its lowest levels (~ 700–850 m) during December–January. The ERA5 BLH estimates are evaluated against Ceilometer observations, and it is found that the ERA5 appropriately reproduces the daytime BLH but significantly underestimates the nocturnal BLH during May and December. Furthermore, the study evaluated the performance of eight different BLH schemes, ACM2, BouLac, MRF, MYNN2.5, YSU, QNSE, MYJ, and MYNN, in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model during these months. The YSU scheme proved most effective during the winter and summer months, particularly during the daytime, while MYNN excelled at nighttime in these months. Overall, the performance of these two schemes is found to be better than that of the other schemes. The first year-long boundary layer observations using a ground-based LiDAR over the Doon Valley will provide valuable insights into its influence on the surface distribution of criteria air pollutants. Identifying a site-specific suitable WRF BLH scheme is crucial for air quality simulations, as accurate representation of vertical mixing directly improves the prediction of near-surface pollutant concentrations.