Performance analysis of Planetary Boundary Layer parameterization schemes in WRF modeling set up over Southern Italy

Predictions of boundary layer meteorological parameters with accuracy are essential for achieving good weather and air quality forecast over any region. In present work, we have analyzed seven Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) parameterization schemes in Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model over the Naples-Caserta region of Southern Italy. WRF model simulations were performed over the critical area of Southern Italy with 1 km horizontal resolution, and results were compared against the Intensive Observation Period 2 (IOP2) data sets collected by a small aircraft SkyArrow ERA (Environmental Research Aircraft), during 07-09 October 2014. The selected PBL schemes for present study comprises three first order closure PBL Schemes (ACM2, MRF, YSU) and four Turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) closure schemes (MYJ, UW, MYNN2, and, BouLac). Performance analysis of these PBL schemes have been investigated by validating them with aircraft measurements of meteorological parameters profiles (Air temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction) in order to assess which scheme is able to reproduce a better PBL height, and other conditions. Investigation suggested that TKE closure schemes are performing better than first order closure schemes and MYNN2 is close to observed values for most of the times