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The temperature structure in a stably stratified internal boundary layer over a cold sea

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Abstract

Data from the Öresund experiment are used to investigate the structure of the stably stratified internal boundary layer (SIBL) which develops when warm air is advected from a heated land surface over a cooler sea. The present study is based on a theory developed by Stull (1983a, b, c). He proposed that the turbulence and the mean structure of the nocturnal boundary layer is controlled by the time-integrated value of surface heat flux and that the instantaneous heat flux is of less importance.

Dimensional arguments are used to define simple, physically consistent, temperature, velocity and length scales. The dimensionless surface heat flux has a high value immediately downwind of the shoreline and it decreases rapidly in magnitude with increasing distance from the coast. Farther away, it is essentially constant. The dimensionless potential temperature change exhibits an exponential profile. It is estimated that turbulence accounts for 71% of boundary-layer cooling while clear-air radiational cooling is responsible for the remaining 29%.

Finally it is found that theoretical predictions for the height of the SIBL are in a good agreement with observations.

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

    Dimitrios Melas

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  1. Dimitrios Melas
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Melas, D. The temperature structure in a stably stratified internal boundary layer over a cold sea. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 48, 361–375 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00123059

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00123059

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