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A method for solving the planetary boundary-layer equations

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Abstract

A method for solving the nonlinear three-dimensional steady-state equations which govern planetary boundary layer flow is described. The method is applicable to air motions over terrain with horizontally varying surface roughness, temperature and moisture. It can also be applied to a physical system consisting of the air and the sea (or earth) boundary layers taken together. Examples of calculations for selected cases of terrain variations are presented. Convergence of the method has been assessed by determining the degree to which the solutions satisfy the set of equations.

The results of the calculations show that the method produces qualitatively realistic distributions of the different meteorological variables.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Division of Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla., USA

    Mariano A. Estoque & Chandrakant M. Bhumralkar

Authors
  1. Mariano A. Estoque
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  2. Chandrakant M. Bhumralkar
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Additional information

Contribution No. 1251 from the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.

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Estoque, M.A., Bhumralkar, C.M. A method for solving the planetary boundary-layer equations. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 1, 169–194 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185738

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00185738

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