High Temporal-Resolution Infrared-Radiometric Observations of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer

An experiment designed to study the relationship of radiometric fluctuations to those of temperature and associated variables in the atmospheric boundary layer is described. Simultaneous and colocated observations were conducted by a ground-based infrared radiometer, fast response temperature, humidity, and wind sensors at 8 levels on the 300-m meteorological tower of the NOAA Boulder Atmospheric Observatory, an acoustic sounder, and a microbarograph array. The observed events included the arrival and development of a drainage flow, atmospheric waves, and convective plume activity. The analysis of the time series of the radiometer output compared with the directly measured meteorological variables and with the acoustic sounder record points out the potential of the ground-based radiometric technique for remote sensing of atmospheric fluctuation phenomena.