A case study of temperature fluctuations within and above a wheat field before and after sunset

Temperature fluctuations in the stable air layer before and after sunset were measured at 4 heights within and above a wheat field. Large positive temperature fluctuations were frequently observed within the plant canopy. The standard deviations, skewness factors and flatness factors of temperature fluctuations within the canopy showed peculiar time variations, having remarkable positive skewness factors. The occurrence of large positive temperature fluctuations was probably related to the difference of temperature gradients below and above the observation height, i.e., these fluctuations frequently occurred when the temperature gradient above the observation height was greater than that below the observation height. Furthermore, the vertical mixing associated with the penetration of downdrafts from the air layer above the canopy was requisite for the occurrence of the phenomenon.