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Rossby similarity and turbulent formulations

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Abstract

The structure of the Planetary Boundary Layer in the stationary case is investigated. The dynamic equations are written in an universal form deduced from Rossby Similarity. Then the system is closed using two semi-empirical formulations for the turbulent fluxes (Prandtl's formulation and the turbulent energy scheme) with a mixing-length chosen to be compatible with Rossby Similarity. For each formulation the system is solved using a new numerical procedure to compute universal profiles of wind and also the Similarity functions A and B in terms of stability. These profiles and functions are then compared to experimental data and good agreement is obtained. Investigating simpler formulations, it appears that good results are obtained with a simple two-layer model, patching a diabatic Ekman spiral with surface-layer profiles. Its formulation is analytical and it can incorporate constant baroclinicity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. établissement d'études et de Recherches Météorologiques, 92100, Boulogne, France

    Régis Du Vachat & Luc Musson-Genon

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  1. Régis Du Vachat
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  2. Luc Musson-Genon
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Du Vachat, R., Musson-Genon, L. Rossby similarity and turbulent formulations. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 23, 47–68 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00116111

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