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Characterization of the Surface Energy Balance Residual in Complex Terrain
Martina Destro1, Mathias W Rotach1, Manuela Lehner1
1Institute of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Boundary-Layer Meteorology
|March 2, 2026
Summary
Closing the surface energy balance in complex terrain is challenging. Our study reveals significant daily and seasonal energy residuals, influenced by atmospheric stability and site-specific conditions, highlighting the need for detailed observations.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Geophysics
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Accurate surface energy balance (SEB) closure is crucial for understanding energy transfer in Earth's systems.
- Complex terrain presents unique challenges to SEB closure due to heterogeneous surface properties and atmospheric processes.
- Previous studies have often simplified terrain complexity, limiting the generalizability of SEB closure models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the surface energy balance residual (Res) normalized by net radiation (Rn) across diverse conditions in complex terrain.
- To investigate the diurnal and annual cycles of Res/Rn and their relationship with atmospheric stability and turbulent mixing.
- To assess the influence of specific meteorological events (foehn, valley winds) on SEB closure in mountainous regions.
Main Methods:
- Multi-site analysis using the i-Box network in the Inn Valley, Austria.
- Characterization of SEB residuals (Res) normalized by net radiation (Rn).
- Examination of diurnal and annual cycles, atmospheric stability, turbulent mixing, and flow conditions.
Main Results:
- Significant diurnal Res/Rn cycles observed: positive (energy gain) during the day, negative (energy loss) at night.
- Large Res/Rn values occurred under nighttime stable conditions; minimum values were found under convective mixing.
- Annual cycles showed distinct patterns, with warmer months having smaller daytime Res/Rn and larger nighttime Res/Rn, and vice versa for colder months.
- Unstable conditions reduced Res/Rn magnitude, while stable conditions increased it. Foehn and valley wind events introduced additional variability.
Conclusions:
- Atmospheric stability, turbulence structure, and flow regimes significantly influence SEB closure in complex terrain.
- The magnitude and behavior of Res/Rn are highly site-specific, underscoring the need for spatially distributed observations.
- Accurate SEB closure in complex terrain requires accounting for both general atmospheric conditions and local topographic effects.
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