Urban-PLUMBER: A new evaluation and benchmarking project for land surface models in urban areas

We welcome participants in the new project to evaluate land surface models (LSMs) in urban areas at multiple sites. Urban-PLUMBER will evaluate both specialised urban parameterisations and general LSMs typically used in weather/climate simulations. Assessment will be offline (uncoupled with an atmosphere model), with driving meteorology and general site characteristics provided at the neighbourhood scale.

The project builds upon the PLUMBER project (PALS Land sUrface Model Benchmarking Evaluation pRoject) by assessing models using simple benchmarks as well as error metrics. The PLUMBER experience indicates benchmarking can reveal where LSMs are not utilising available information effectively, helping focus future model development.

The project’s two phases are: 1) initial evaluation at one suburban site and 2) evaluation across multiple sites with varying degrees urbanised and vegetation/pervious fractions. The project will establish where on the urbanised/vegetated continuum models are more skilful, and assess the progress made in modelling urban areas over the last decade since the last major offline urban model comparison project (PILPS-Urban).

We expect the project to benefit both participating modelling groups and improve understanding of modelling urban areas as a whole. Contact us to get involved.