Skip to main content
Log in

Dissipation length in stable layers

  • Published:
Boundary-Layer Meteorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An attempt is made, for an anticyclonic stable situation in the atmospheric boundary layer during November 1978, to estimate the dissipation length. The turbulent dissipation and the turbulent kinetic energy, as measured on a 100 m high mast, exhibit large variability, due to the sporadic turbulent structure of the stable layer, and associated variability of the Richardson number. A comparison with different parameterizations of the turbulent dissipation rate allows a validation of these parameterizations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • André, J. C., De Moor, G., Lacarrere, P., Therry, G., and Du Vachat, R.: 1978, ‘Modelling the 24-hr Evolution of the Mean and Turbulent Structures of the Planetary Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 35, 1861–1883.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aubry, M., Chezlemas, R., and Spizzichino, A.: 1974, ‘Preliminary Results of the Atmospheric Acoustic Sounding Program at CNET’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 7, 513–519.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ariel, N. Z. and Nadezhina, Ye D.: 1980, ‘An Estimate of the Turbulence from Experimental Data’, Fluid Mech. Sov. Res. (U.S.A.), Vol. 9, 4, 142–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodin, S.: 1976, ‘Numerical Models of the Boundary Layer’, E.C.M.W.F. Seminars 337–372.

  • Blackadar, A. K.: 1962, ‘The Vertical Distributions of Wind and Turbulent Exchange in Neutral Atmosphere’, J. Geophys. Res. 67, 3095–3102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caughey, S. J.: 1977, ‘Boundary-Layer Turbulence Spectra in Stable Conditions’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 11, 3–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caughey, S. J., Wyngaard, J. C., and Kaimal, J. C.: 1979, ‘Turbulence in Evolving Stable Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 36, 1041–1052.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deardorff, J. W.: 1973, ‘Three Dimensional Numerical Modeling of the Planetary Boundary Layer’, in D. A. Haugen, (ed.). Workshop on Micrometeorology. Amer. Meteorol. Soc., 271–311.

  • Deardorff, J. W.: 1976, ‘Clear and Cloud-Capped Mixed Layers — Their Numerical Simulation, Structure and Growth and Parameterization’, Seminars on the Treatment of the Boundary Layer in Numerical Weather Prediction, European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts, 234–284.

  • Delage, Y.: 1974, ‘A Numerical Study of the Nocturnal Atmospheric Boundary Layer’, Quart. J. R. Meteorol. Soc. 100, 351–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donaldson, C. du P.: (1973), ‘Construction of a Dynamical Model of the Production of Atmospheric Turbulence and the Dispersal of Atmospheric Pollutants’, in D. A. Haugen (ed.), Workshop in Micrometeorology, Amer. Meteorol. Soc., Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaynor, J. E.: 1977, ‘Acoustic Doppler Measurement of Atmospheric Boundary Layer Velocity Structure Functions and Energy Dissipation Rates’, J. Applied. Meteorol. 16, 148–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, G. C.: 1975, ‘Development and Use of the Gill u v w Anemometer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 8, 475–495.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, N. O. and Lenschow, D. H.: 1978, ‘An observational Investigation of Penetrative Convection’, J. Atmos. Sci. 35, 1924–1933.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaimal, J. C., Wyngaard, J. C., Haugen, D. A., Coté, O. R., Izumi, Y., Caughey, S. J., and Readings, C. J.: 1976, ‘Turbulence Structure in the Convective Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 33, 2152–2169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaimal, J. C., Wyngaard, J. C., Izumi, Y., and Coté, O. R.: 1972, ‘Spectral Characteristics of Surface-Layer Turbulence’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 98, 563–589.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaimal, J. C.: 1973, ‘Turbulence Spectra, Length Scales and Structure Parameters in the Stable Surface Layer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 4, 289–309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenschow, D. H.: 1974, ‘Model of the Height Variation of the Turbulence Kinetic Energy Budget in the Unstable Planetary Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 31, 465–474.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenschow, D. H., Stankov, B. B., and Mahrt, L.: 1979, ‘The Rapid Morning Boundary Layer Transition’, J. Atmos. Sci. 36, 2108–2124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mellor, G. L.: 1973, ‘Analytic Prediction of the Properties of Stratified Planetary Surface Layers’, J. Atmos. Sci. 30, 1061–1069.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mellor, G. L. and Yamada, T.: 1974, ‘A Hierarchy of Turbulence Closure Models for Planetary Boundary Layers’, J. Atmos. Sci. 31, 1791–1806.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monin, A. S. and Yaglom, A. M.: 1971, Statistical Fluid Mechanics: Mechanics of Turbulence, Vol. 1, MIT Press (English edition). 769.

  • Miyakoda, K., and Sirutis, J.: 1977, ‘Comparative Integrations of Global Models with Various Parameterized Processes of Subgrid-Scale Vertical Transport’, Beitr. Phys. Atmos. 50, 445–486.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pennel, W. T. and Le Mone, M. A.: 1974, ‘An Experimental Study of Turbulence Structure in the Fair-Weather Trade Wind Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 31, 1308–1323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommeria, G.: 1976, ‘Three Dimensional Simulation of Turbulent Processes in an Undisturbed Trade Wind Boundary Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 33, 216–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tatarskii, V. I.: 1971, The Effects of the Turbulent Atmosphere on Wave Propagation, Israël Program for Scientific Translation, Jerusalem.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vinnichenko, N. K. and Dutton, J. A.: 1969, ‘Empirical Studies of Atmospheric Structure and Spectra in the Free Atmosphere’, Radio Sci. 4, 1115–1126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weill, A., Baudin, F., Goutorbe, J. P., Van Grunderbeeck, P., and Le Berre, P.: 1978, ‘Turbulence Structure in Temperature inversion and in Convection Fields as Observed by Doppler Sodar’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 15, 375–390.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woods, J. D.: 1969, ‘Richardson's Number as a Criterion for Laminar-Turbulent-Laminar Transition in the Ocean and Atmosphere’, Radio Sci. 4, 1289–1298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyngaard, J. C. and Coté, O. R.: 1971, ‘The Budgets of Turbulent Kinetic Energy and Temperature Variance in the Atmospheric Surface Layer’, J. Atmos. Sci. 28, 190–201.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts, Reading, England (work done while visiting scientist at CRPE).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Louis, J.F., Weill, A. & Vidal-Madjar, D. Dissipation length in stable layers. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 25, 229–243 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00119538

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00119538

Keywords

Navigation