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Observations of a multi-level turbulence structure in a very stable atmospheric boundary layer

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Abstract

Boundary-layer measurements conducted at the Marsta site in Sweden from a winter-time situation (23–25 Feb.) with stable stratification have been analysed. The data comprise wind and temperature profile measurements up to 30 m, turbulence measurements at 2, 6 and 30 m and Doppler acoustic sounder data up to about 150 m. The upwind fetch at the site is flat and free from obstacles to a distance of ca 5 km for the particular sector chosen for the experiment.

During the night, a two-layer vertical structure developed. Analysis of power spectra, co-spectra and variances in a shallow and very stable turbulent boundary layer near the ground show that the turbulence is fully developed and follow the universal behaviour.

Above, at a height of 30 m, another turbulent layer is produced by increased wind shear near a low-level jet. This turbulent upper layer can be regarded as a layer of free shear flow. At this height, there also exist wave-turbulence interactions at low frequencies which sometimes cause a countergradient heat flux.

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  1. Department of Meteorology, Uppsala University, Box 516, S-75120, Uppsala, Sweden

    Ann-Sofi Smedman

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Smedman, AS. Observations of a multi-level turbulence structure in a very stable atmospheric boundary layer. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 44, 231–253 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00116064

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