Introduction to Atmospheric Measurements

Abstract

Measurements in the atmosphere differ from measurements in other media because of the thermodynamic and radiative properties of air (e.g., low density, low heat capacity, and transparency to a large part of the electromagnetic spectrum) and the fact that the air is almost always in (often turbulent) motion. The vertical and horizontal distributions of meteorological elements and the spatial and temporal scales of processes strongly influence the selection of appropriate measurement methods and devices. This chapter gives a brief overview of the different ways of classifying atmospheric measurements, the relevant states and processes that influence measurements in the atmosphere, and basic measurement techniques (including some fundamental aspects of the performance and interpretation of these techniques). It focuses in particular on the so-called atmospheric boundary layer, since most measurements are performed in this region and most human activities take place there.