Geography & Environment Publications
Validation of an Urban Canyon Radiation Model for Nocturnal Long-wave Fluxes
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1991
Volume
54
Issue
4
Journal
Boundary-Layer Meteorology
First Page
347
Last Page
361
URL with Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00118866
Abstract
The urban canyon radiation model of Arnfield (1976, 1982) is validated using measurements of long-wave fluxes taken within a scaled down urban canyon constructed from concrete building blocks. A custom-designed traversing system allowed miniature radiometers to be automatically moved around the perimeter of a canyon cross-section, thereby providing for the validation of individual model grid-points. The agreement between measured and modelled radiation is generally very good. Some differences between the two over the canyon walls are attributed to difficulties in achieving precise instrument orientation. Model results derived from the measured surface temperature data are compared to results using various approximation schemes more likely to be used in practice. Approximations based on canyon surface temperatures are superior to those using air temperature.
Notes
Dr. James Voogt was not yet affiliated with The University of Western Ontario at the time of publication.