Turbulence characteristics along several towers

Observations from several towers are used to show how measurements of wind and temperature near the surface can be used to estimate the variances of the horizontal velocity and the dissipation rate up to the top of the towers, provided the roughness length is known. The roughness length usually varies with wind direction, and the traditional methods of estimating it tend to lead to over-estimates.Analysis of cross spectra between velocity components at different levels shows that Davenport's Geometrical Similarity is satisfied. Coherence falls off exponentially with the ratio of height interval to wavelength, and the decay parameter depends on Richardson number near the surface. Coherences at different sites show no significant differences in neutral air. The lateral velocity components have larger coherence and more time delay between levels than the horizontal components at all sites.Time delay and coherence are also discussed in other Cartesian directions, and it is suggested that these quantities, having relatively simple properties, can be used as building blocks for an empirical three-dimensional model of turbulence.Contribution No. 6951