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The use of σ T as a temperature scale in the atmospheric surface layer

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Abstract

The standard deviation of temperatureσ T is proposed as a temperature scale and\(v_ * \equiv \overline {w\prime T\prime } /\sigma _T \) as a velocity scale to describe the behaviour of turbulent flows in the Atmospheric Surface Layer (ASL), instead ofθ * andu * of the Monin—Obukhov similarity theory, and ofT f andU f used for free convection stability conditions. On the basis of experimental evidence reported in the literature, it is shown thatσ T αT f andv * αU f in the free convection region, andσ T αθ * andv * αU * in nearneutral and stable conditions. This implies that the proposed scales can be applied for all stabilities. Furthermore, a new length scale is proposed and its relation with Obukhov length is given. Also, a simple semi-empirical expression is presented with whichσ T andv * can be evaluated in a rather simple way. Some examples of practical applications are given, e.g., a stability classification for unstable conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Meteorology, Wageningen Agricultural University, Duivendaal 2, 6701 AP, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    H. A. R. De Bruin

  2. Institute of Earth Sciences, Department of Meteorology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    N. J. Bink

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  1. H. A. R. De Bruin
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  2. N. J. Bink
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De Bruin, H.A.R., Bink, N.J. The use of σ T as a temperature scale in the atmospheric surface layer. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 70, 79–93 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00712524

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00712524

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