Articles | Volume 17, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-5023-2024
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-5023-2024
Model description paper
 | 
27 Jun 2024
Model description paper |  | 27 Jun 2024

WRF-Comfort: simulating microscale variability in outdoor heat stress at the city scale with a mesoscale model

Alberto Martilli, Negin Nazarian, E. Scott Krayenhoff, Jacob Lachapelle, Jiachen Lu, Esther Rivas, Alejandro Rodriguez-Sanchez, Beatriz Sanchez, and José Luis Santiago

Related authors

A one-dimensional urban flow model with an eddy-diffusivity mass-flux (EDMF) scheme and refined turbulent transport (MLUCM v3.0)
Jiachen Lu, Negin Nazarian, Melissa Anne Hart, E. Scott Krayenhoff, and Alberto Martilli
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 2525–2545, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-2525-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-2525-2024, 2024
Short summary
A global map of local climate zones to support earth system modelling and urban-scale environmental science
Matthias Demuzere, Jonas Kittner, Alberto Martilli, Gerald Mills, Christian Moede, Iain D. Stewart, Jasper van Vliet, and Benjamin Bechtel
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 3835–3873, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3835-2022,https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3835-2022, 2022
Short summary
A one-dimensional model of turbulent flow through “urban” canopies (MLUCM v2.0): updates based on large-eddy simulation
Negin Nazarian, E. Scott Krayenhoff, and Alberto Martilli
Geosci. Model Dev., 13, 937–953, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-13-937-2020,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-13-937-2020, 2020
Short summary
CFD modeling of reactive pollutant dispersion in simplified urban configurations with different chemical mechanisms
Beatriz Sanchez, Jose-Luis Santiago, Alberto Martilli, Magdalena Palacios, and Frank Kirchner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 12143–12157, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12143-2016,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12143-2016, 2016
Short summary

Related subject area

Atmospheric sciences
Exploring a high-level programming model for the NWP domain using ECMWF microphysics schemes
Stefano Ubbiali, Christian Kühnlein, Christoph Schär, Linda Schlemmer, Thomas C. Schulthess, Michael Staneker, and Heini Wernli
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 529–546, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-529-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-529-2025, 2025
Short summary
Quantifying uncertainties in satellite NO2 superobservations for data assimilation and model evaluation
Pieter Rijsdijk, Henk Eskes, Arlene Dingemans, K. Folkert Boersma, Takashi Sekiya, Kazuyuki Miyazaki, and Sander Houweling
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 483–509, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-483-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-483-2025, 2025
Short summary
ML-AMPSIT: Machine Learning-based Automated Multi-method Parameter Sensitivity and Importance analysis Tool
Dario Di Santo, Cenlin He, Fei Chen, and Lorenzo Giovannini
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 433–459, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-433-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-433-2025, 2025
Short summary
Coupling the urban canopy model TEB (SURFEXv9.0) with the radiation model SPARTACUS-Urbanv0.6.1 for more realistic urban radiative exchange calculation
Robert Schoetter, Robin James Hogan, Cyril Caliot, and Valéry Masson
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 405–431, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-405-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-405-2025, 2025
Short summary
Forecasting contrail climate forcing for flight planning and air traffic management applications: the CocipGrid model in pycontrails 0.51.0
Zebediah Engberg, Roger Teoh, Tristan Abbott, Thomas Dean, Marc E. J. Stettler, and Marc L. Shapiro
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 253–286, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-253-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-253-2025, 2025
Short summary

Cited articles

Borge, R., Santiago, J. L., de la Paz, D., Martín, F., Domingo, J., Valdés, C., Sánchez B., Rivas, E., Rozas, M. T., Lázaro, S., Pérez, J., and Fernández, A.: Application of a short term air quality action plan in Madrid (Spain) under a high-pollution episode-Part II: Assessment from multi-scale modelling, Sci. Total Environ., 635, 1574–1584, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.323, 2018. 
Bougeault, P. and Lacarrere, P.: Parameterization of Orography-Induced Turbulence in a Mesobeta–Scale Model, Mon. Weather Rev., 117, 1872–1890, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1989)117<1872:POOITI>2.0.CO;2, 1989. 
Broadbent, A. M., Krayenhoff, E. S., and Georgescu, M.: The motley drivers of heat and cold exposure in 21st century US cities, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 117, 21108–21117, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2005492117, 2020. 
Brousse, O., Martilli, A., Foley, M., Mills, G., and Bechtel, B.: WUDAPT, an efficient land use producing data tool for mesoscale models? Integration of urban LCZ in WRF over Madrid, Urban Clim., 17, 116–134, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2016.04.001, 2016. 
Brown, M. J., Lawson, R. E., DeCroix, D. S., and Lee, R. L.: Comparison of centerline velocity measurements obtained around 2D and 3D building arrays in a wind tunnel, Int. 40 Soc. Environ. Hydraulics, Tempe, AZ, 5, 495, OSTI ID: 783425, https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc716934/m2/1/high_res_d/783425.pdf (last access: 25 June 2024), 2001 
Download
Short summary
Here, we present a model that quantifies the thermal stress and its microscale variability at a city scale with a mesoscale model. This tool can have multiple applications, from early warnings of extreme heat to the vulnerable population to the evaluation of the effectiveness of heat mitigation strategies. It is the first model that includes information on microscale variability in a mesoscale model, something that is essential for fully evaluating heat stress.