Measurements during windy and rainy weather and occasional sunshine

Third intense measurement campaign (IOP 3) of 3DO in the cities of Hamburg, Stuttgart and Berlin

The third winter campaign is going on in Hamburg and Stuttgart, while it is already finished in Berlin. Weather conditions in January were not optimal at all with frequent rain, high wind speeds and low clouds. The last two issues are specifically problematic in operating fixed wings and copters requiring low winds speeds and a certain height of the cloud base to be allowed to fly. Higher wind speeds are also unfavourable during air quality measurements.

Three days were chosen end of January for the IOP in Berlin. Measurements of air quality and meteorological variables were carried out by all of the participating groups during these days. Measurements took again place around the Ernst-Reuter-Platz. But, this time focus of the campaign was laid on the area around Rothenburgstraße in Berlin-Steglitz. The researchers intended to collect data in a more residential zone with a high degree of vegetation. Two different copters were operated in this area by the University of Augsburg and the Leibniz Universität Hannover. They were rising in the air up to about 300 meters. Fixed wings of the University of Augsburg could be seen on the Tempelhofer Feld. Despite unfavourable weather conditions during these three days valuable data could be gained by the participating teams.

The IOP in Hamburg is located in the Hafencity. Measurements are running from mid-January to mid-February and focus on small-scale variability of the wind field. Besides the University of Hamburg, the TU Dresden also takes part in the campaign measuring with a tethered balloon.

In Stuttgart, basically several institutions recorded the same measurements as in the last winter IOP. Due to the complex terrain Stuttgart is located in, problems with bad air quality are well-known in the city. Focus of the IOP was therefore again laid on thermally induced flow systems and air pollutant distribution. Various air pollutants, particulate matter as well as air temperature, humidity and wind are meassured via vertical and horizontal profile measurements. Measurement instruments are mounted on a bicycle, the cog railway, high buildings and coaches. Additionally radiosondes are used and a tethered balloon rises in the air up to almost 500 m.

Measurements of wind, air temperature, humidity and radiation on the roof of building AB2 of the Institute of Ecology. © Chair of Climatology, Technische Universität Berlin 2018		Hexacopter of the University of Augsburg measuring wind, air temperature and humidity while flying over the Institute of Ecology. © Chair of Climatology, Technische Universität  Berlin 2018
Fixed wing waiting to start the measurement flight over the Tempelhofer Feld. © Erik Petersen, Universität Augsburg 2018		Tethered balloon of the IFK of the University of Stuttgart is prepared to start the measurement flight. © Abdul Samad, University of Stuttgart 2018
Tethered balloon of the IFK of the University of Stuttgart far up in the sky. © Abdul Samad, University of Stuttgart 2018		Start of a tethered balloon from a roof top during the measurement campaign in Hamburg. © Sarah Wiesner, Universität Hamburg 2018