Net solar and infrared flux measurements would allow studies of surface heat balance which are particularly crucial for evaluating polar processes. At the same level of priority are temperature and wind velocity. Temperature measurements would complement atmospheric opacity measurements because diurnal variations are strongly influenced by suspended dust. Temperature and wind measurements would also allow partial characterization of the lowermost atmospheric boundary layer. Although humidity measurements are desirable for water cycle studies, they are difficult to conduct in the cold martian environment.
Friction velocity is a fundamental boundary layer parameter.
The latter could be derived from landscape images or from wind measurements recorded at several different heights within the surface layer. It will be important to know, for example, if the station is located among large rocks or is sited in a ravine. Full characterization of the boundary layer requires measurements of the vertical profiles of wind, temperature, moisture, and dust. If tethered balloons are used, some profiling of the boundary layer would be possible. Newly developed instruments and strategies, such as upward-looking radar and microwave sounders, should be considered.