The correct simulation of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is crucial for reliable weather forecasts in truly complex terrain. However, common assumptions for model parametrizations are only valid for horizontally homogeneous and flat terrain. Here, we evaluate the turbulence parametrization of the numerical weather prediction model COSMO with a horizontal grid spacing of for the Inn Valley, Austria. The long-term, high-resolution turbulence measurements of the i-Box measurement sites provide a useful data pool of the ABL structure in the valley and on slopes. We focus on days and nights when ABL processes dominate and a thermally-driven circulation is present. Simulations are performed for case studies with both a one-dimensional turbulence parametrization, which only considers the vertical turbulent exchange, and a hybrid turbulence parametrization, also including horizontal shear production and advection in the budget of turbulence kinetic energy (TKE). We find a general underestimation of TKE by the model with the one-dimensional turbulence parametrization. In the simulations with the hybrid turbulence parametrization, the modelled TKE has a more realistic structure, especially in situations when the TKE production is dominated by shear related to the afternoon up-valley flow, and during nights, when a stable ABL is present. The model performance also improves for stations on the slopes. An estimation of the horizontal shear production from the observation network suggests that three-dimensional effects are a relevant part of TKE production in the valley.

The flow and turbulence structure in the atmospheric boundary layer over complex mountainous terrain determines Earth–atmosphere interaction, that is, the exchange of energy, mass, and momentum between the surface over such terrain and the free atmosphere. Numerical models for weather and climate, even when operated at high or very high grid resolution, are known to be deficient, leading to inaccurate local forecasts (weather) or scenarios (climate). The nature and reasons for these deficiencies, however, are difficult to assess because systematic and long-term combined observational/modeling studies in mountainous terrain are missing. The Innsbruck Box (i-Box) project aims at filling in this gap through a network of long-term turbulence sites in truly complex terrain, complemented by similarly continuous (surface based) remote sensing and numerical modeling at high to highest [i.e., large-eddy simulation (LES)] resolution. This contribution details the i-Box approach, the experimental design, and available data, as well as the numerical modeling strategy. The first scientific highlights are presented to illustrate the potential of the i-Box data pool and possible future directions.

Abstract. A terrestrial laser scanner (TLS) of the type RIEGL VZ-6000 has been permanently installed and automated at Hintereisferner glacier located in the Ötztal Alps, Austria, to identify snow (re)distribution from surface height changes. A first case study is presented that shows and discusses detected snow distribution at the glacier after a snowfall event, together with concurrent snow erosion and deposition caused by avalanches. The paper shows the potential of a TLS system in a high mountain environment, which is also applicable to other environmental mapping applications. It introduces the setup of the TLS system, its automation procedure, and a first and preliminary uncertainty analysis. TLS data are generally influenced by four uncertainty sources: atmospheric conditions, scanning geometry, mechanical properties, and surface reflectance properties. The first three sources have significant influence on the TLS data at Hintereisferner, whereby the total accuracy of the TLS system is estimated to be in a range of a few decimetres, subject to ongoing more detailed data analysis.

Abstract. Vertical profiles of the aerosol particles hygroscopic properties, their mixing state as well as chemical composition were measured above northern Italy and the Netherlands. An aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS; for chemical composition) and a white-light humidified optical particle spectrometer (WHOPS; for hygroscopic growth) were deployed on a Zeppelin NT airship within the PEGASOS project. This allowed one to investigate the development of the different layers within the planetary boundary layer (PBL), providing a unique in situ data set for airborne aerosol particles properties in the first kilometre of the atmosphere. Profiles measured during the morning hours on 20 June 2012 in the Po Valley, Italy, showed an increased nitrate fraction at  ∼  100 m above ground level (a.g.l.) coupled with enhanced hygroscopic growth compared to  ∼  700 m a. g. l. This result was derived from both measurements of the aerosol composition and direct measurements of the hygroscopicity, yielding hygroscopicity parameters (κ) of 0.34  ±  0.12 and 0.19  ±  0.07 for 500 nm particles, at  ∼  100 and  ∼  700 m a. g. l., respectively. The difference is attributed to the structure of the PBL at this time of day which featured several independent sub-layers with different types of aerosols. Later in the day the vertical structures disappeared due to the mixing of the layers and similar aerosol particle properties were found at all probed altitudes (mean κ ≈ 0.18  ±  0.07). The aerosol properties observed at the lowest flight level (100 m a. g. l.) were consistent with parallel measurements at a ground site, both in the morning and afternoon. Overall, the aerosol particles were found to be externally mixed, with a prevailing hygroscopic fraction. The flights near Cabauw in the Netherlands in the fully mixed PBL did not feature altitude-dependent characteristics. Particles were also externally mixed and had an even larger hygroscopic fraction compared to the results in Italy. The mean κ from direct measurements was 0.28 ±  0.10, thus considerably higher than κ values measured in Italy in the fully mixed PBL.