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Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layer Over a Uniform Slope: Some Theoretical Concepts

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Abstract

Theoretical arguments are developed to describe the effects of a uniform slope on the development of the stably stratified atmospheric boundary layer (SBL). A maximum sustainable surface buoyancy flux exists for the SBL overlying a uniform, non-sloping surface. In this study it is shown that the SBL overlying a uniform shallow slope (with gradient of the order of 1:1000) also supports a maximum sustainable buoyancy flux, B max, but that the value of B max is influenced by the gradient of the slope, γ. It is demonstrated that in the limit γ → 0, results for the SBL over a horizontal surface are recovered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Sheffield, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH, U.K

    Andrew J. Maguire & Julia M. Rees

  2. The Meteorological Office, FitzRoy Road, Exeter, EX1 3PB, U.K

    Stephen H. Derbyshire

Authors
  1. Andrew J. Maguire
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  2. Julia M. Rees
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  3. Stephen H. Derbyshire
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Correspondence to Julia M. Rees.

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Maguire, A.J., Rees, J.M. & Derbyshire, S.H. Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layer Over a Uniform Slope: Some Theoretical Concepts. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 120, 219–227 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-006-9055-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-006-9055-7

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