E4. Probing the Atmospheric Boundary Layer: a Life-long Adventure Thanks to Wilfried Brutsaert

Abstract

During the 1986 Hapex-Mobilhy field campaign, deep in the middle of Les Landes pine forest of southwest France, we released more than 500 radiosondes to measure vertical profiles of temperature, humidity and wind speed in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). We were not there to sample the after effects of the Chernobyl disaster (or follow the world cup in Mexico), as many of the locals thought at the time, but rather to understand the blending properties of the turbulent atmosphere over variable terrain. Since that time we have continued in search of a better understanding of how the atmosphere responds to complex terrain, development of an improved formulation of evaporation into the atmosphere for hydrologic purposes, the measurement of turbulence and the numerical simulation of the ABL. Some field campaigns and findings will be highlighted including results on Taylor’s hypothesis using the EPFL raman lidar at Seedorf, Switzerland. Though instrumentation and computing have improved and the field sites change, the many pleasures of discussing science, life and running with Dr. Brutsaert remains the same today.