We present an application of a fine-resolution, meso-urban meteorological model (urbanized MM5; uMM5) to a multi-day episode in August 2000 in the Houston-Galveston Texas, USA region.  The model’s episodic performance and its response to small changes in land-cover and surface physical properties in the area, e.g., scenarios of urban heat island mitigation, are evaluated.  The model formulation is reviewed along with its parameterizations, data needs, and fine-resolution geometrical input.  Development of scenarios of increased urban albedo and vegetative cover is also discussed.  This initial application of the uMM5 to the Houston-Galveston region serves as a basis for future model improvements, evaluation of newer data and parameterization applications, testing more aggressive surface modification scenarios, and performing fine-resolution photochemical modelling.  It also provides data for comparison of model results with those from previous studies of this region.

Boundary-Layer Meteorology
Volume 127, Issue 2 , pp 193-218