Evaluation and application of atmospheric boundary layer profiles from aircraft meteorological reports in central and eastern China

A data record of atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) profiles is developed from the Aircraft Meteorological Data Report (AMDAR) during aircraft ascents and descents at 18 airports in central and eastern China during the period 2008-2019. Based on nearby radiosonde data, the accuracy of the AMDAR data in different seasons and height ranges is evaluated. The dependence of the data accuracy on the distance between radiosonde sites and airports and flight phases are also analyzed. Compared to radiosonde data, the root mean square errors (RMSEs) of AMDAR temperatures and wind components in the lowest layer (P>850 hPa) are all smaller than those in the higher layer (850 similar to 500 hPa). The RMSEs of AMDAR temperatures and wind components generally increase as the separation distance increases. Relatively, the impact of flight phases (ascent or descent) on the accuracy of AMDAR data is small. With the separation distance less than 50 km, the averaged RMSEs of temperatures, zonal winds and meridional winds at levels with pressure larger than 850 hPa are 0. 68 similar to 0. 83 K, 1. 48 similar to 1. 62 m.s(-1) and 1. 73 similar to 1. 81 m.s(-1) respectively. Compared to the RMSEs, the corresponding mean bias errors of AMDAR data are much smaller and have little dependence on the separation distance. Data application examples show that AMDAR profiles, due to their higher temporal resolution, not only can reflect the diurnal variation of ABL structure, but also can be used to investigate local circulation characteristics in the ABL. The analyses based on AMDAR profiles at 18 airports in China shows that the diurnal variation of the atmospheric boundary layer height is strong in far inland or arid regions, especially in spring and summer, while smaller, with less seasonal variation, in coastal and near inland regions.

Automated summary

The study developed a data record of Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) profiles at 18 airports in central and eastern China from AMDAR data during aircraft ascents and descents from 2008 to 2019. The accuracy of AMDAR data varies by season and height range, with generally increasing root mean square errors (RMSEs) as separation distance increases. Flight phase (ascent or descent) has minimal impact on data accuracy, with AMDAR profiles showing potential for diurnal variation of ABL structure and local circulation characteristics access in the ABL.