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On characteristics of wind direction fluctuations in the surface layer

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Abstract

It is shown that the ratio of standard deviation of lateral velocity to the friction velocity, ΣΝ/u *, and therefore wind direction fluctuations, are sensitive to mesoscale terrain properties. Under neutral conditions, ΣΝ/u * is almost 40% larger in rolling terrain than over a horizontal surface. In the lee of a low mountain, the fluctuations may be 2.5 times as strong as over horizontal terrain. In contrast, vertical velocity fluctuations are little influenced by mesoscale terrain features.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Meteorology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    H. A. Panofsky, C. A. Egolf & R. Lipschutz

Authors
  1. H. A. Panofsky
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  2. C. A. Egolf
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  3. R. Lipschutz
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Now with Air Weather Service, Offutt AFB, Omaha, Nebraska.

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Panofsky, H.A., Egolf, C.A. & Lipschutz, R. On characteristics of wind direction fluctuations in the surface layer. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 15, 439–446 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120605

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00120605

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