A parametrization for bare soil is developed, which is to be incorporated in a mesoscale numerical prediction model. This parameterization is generalized to accomodate 11 types of soil in addition to peat, using mean soil characteristics. The sensitivity of the scheme to several soil parameters is evaluated by a series of one-dimensional simulations. It is shown that the most important soil characteristic is the soil moisture, which regulates the strength of the heat fluxes between the atmosphere and the ground.