Pappaccogli et al. (2026) Integrating mesoscale forcing and urban canopy modelling: Quantifying thermo-hygrometric variability in a Mediterranean coastal city (Bari, Italy)

Identification

• Journal: Atmospheric Research
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-20
• Authors: Gianluca Pappaccogli, Andrea Zonato, Alberto Martilli, Riccardo Buccolieri, Antonio Esposito, Piero Lionello
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2026.109337

Research Groups

• Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, University of Salento
• CIMA Research Foundation
• Atmospheric Modelling Unit, Environmental Department, CIEMAT

Short Summary

This study investigates the thermo-hygrometric variability of Bari (Italy), a Mediterranean coastal city, using an integrated multiscale framework combining canyon-level observations, ECOSTRESS land surface temperature data, and simulations with the Multi-Layer Urban Canopy Model (MLUCM BEP + BEM) forced by ERA5 reanalysis. The study highlights the importance of mesoscale coastal forcing and local urban morphology in shaping intra-urban thermo-hygrometric variability.

Objective

• Quantify the spatial variability of air temperature and humidity across different urban environments using a canyon-level sensor network.
• Characterize the spatial distribution of surface thermal patterns using ECOSTRESS land surface temperature observations.
• Evaluate the capability of the MLUCM BEP + BEM model to reproduce intra-urban thermo-hygrometric variability when forced by ERA5 reanalysis.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Urban scale, with a focus on canyon-level sensors and ECOSTRESS land surface temperature data.
• Temporal Scale: Diurnal cycle, with a focus on the analysis of air temperature and relative humidity during the day.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Multi-Layer Urban Canopy Model (MLUCM BEP + BEM)
• Data sources: Canyon-level sensor network, ECOSTRESS land surface temperature data, ERA5 reanalysis

Main Results

• The study highlights strong intra-urban variability in air temperature and relative humidity across different urban environments.
• Coastal sensors display a flatter warming curve compared to inland locations.
• Simulations forced with ERA5 sea grid points provided the lowest air temperature RMSE values in coastal areas.

Contributions

• This study provides a methodological basis for investigating thermo-hygrometric variability in Mediterranean coastal cities.
• The integrated multiscale framework used in this study can be applied to other urban environments to quantify the relative contributions of mesoscale forcing and local urban morphology.

Funding

• This research was funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. [insert grant number].

Citation

@article{Pappaccogli2026Integrating,
  author = {Pappaccogli, Gianluca and Zonato, Andrea and Martilli, Alberto and Buccolieri, Riccardo and Esposito, Antonio and Lionello, Piero},
  title = {Integrating mesoscale forcing and urban canopy modelling: Quantifying thermo-hygrometric variability in a Mediterranean coastal city (Bari, Italy)},
  journal = {Atmospheric Research},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.atmosres.2026.109337},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2026.109337}
}