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A nonstationary nocturnal drainage flow model

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Abstract

The evolution and structure of the steady state of an idealized nocturnal drainage flow over a large uniformly-sloping surface are studied using a nonstationary model with a height-dependent eddy diffusivity profile and a specified surface cooling rate. The predicted mean velocity and temperature profiles are compared with Prandtl's stationary analytical solutions based on the assumption of a constant eddy diffusivity in the drainage layer. The effects of important physical parameters, such as the slope angle, surface cooling, atmospheric stability, and surface roughness, on the steady drainage flow are investigated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 37830, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA

    K. S. Rao & H. F. Snodgrass

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  1. K. S. Rao
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  2. H. F. Snodgrass
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Affiliated with Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU).

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Rao, K.S., Snodgrass, H.F. A nonstationary nocturnal drainage flow model. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 20, 309–320 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00121375

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