Near-time atmospheric observations in urban areas: insights from concurrent operations in multiple cities

We describe features and results of a data system developed to allow timely access to data from novel modular atmospheric monitoring systems deployed in urban areas in multiple cities of different sizes, simultaneously. The ERC urbisphere project is collecting a wide range of atmospheric environmental data to improve weather and climate models, in order to assess the impact of cities on the atmosphere (e.g., aerosols, greenhouse gases) and human exposure to extreme events (e.g., heat waves, heavy precipitation, air pollution). Modular observing systems involving short-term deployments include customised automatic weather stations, Doppler and ceilometer lidars, scintillometers, balloon radio sounding and spectral imaging. Deployments range from streetlight-mounted to building roofs and indoors to mobile platforms (vehicles, drones). Together this creates challenges to synthesise across multiple sources of diversity.

Data are uploaded in near-time to a central data infrastructure via cell phone and IOT networks. A metadata system helps track the location and configuration of all deployed components and provides the backbone for processing instrument records into location-aware, convention-aligned and quality-assured data products according to FAIR. The data system provides services (e.g., APIs, Apps, ICEs) for inspection and computation by campaign participants. Workflow and design considerations also include collaboration tools that ensure attribution for multiple uses in near time by researchers, operational agencies and citizens.

We will demonstrate how the systematic, easily adoptable approach can simplify complex campaign workflows, for both modellers and observers. The showcase of the data system will use examples from outdoor/indoor temperature observations and spatial wind field observations from past and ongoing campaigns.