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Observations of Solitary Waves in the Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layer

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Abstract

Large amplitude, isolated, wave-like phenomena have been observed in the lowest 40 m of the strongly stably stratified atmospheric boundary layer overlying a coastal Antarctic ice shelf. The waves only occur when prevailing wind speeds are low. They always propagate from over the land, with phase speeds exceeding the local mean wind speed. They have wavelengths of the order of 200 m. Several examples are described and a summary of the statistical properties of these waves events is presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S3 7RH, U.K

    Julia M. Rees

  2. British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, U.K

    Philip S. Anderson & John C. King

Authors
  1. Julia M. Rees
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  2. Philip S. Anderson
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  3. John C. King
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Rees, J.M., Anderson, P.S. & King, J.C. Observations of Solitary Waves in the Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layer. Boundary-Layer Meteorology 86, 47–61 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1000555504268

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1000555504268

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