Internal boundary-layer height formulae — A comparison with atmospheric data

The height of the internal boundary layer (IBL) downwind of a step change in surface roughness is computed using formulae of Elliott (1958), Jackson (1976) and Panofsky and Dutton (1984). The results are compared with neutral-stratification atmospheric data extracted from the set of wind-tunnel and atmospheric data summarized by Jackson (1976) as well as neutral-stratification data presented by Peterson et al. (1979) and new data measured at Cherrywood, Ontario. It is found that the Panofsky-Dutton formulation gives the least root-mean-square (RMS) absolute errors for atmospheric applications.     

Internal Boundary Layers: I. Height Formulae for Neutral and Diabatic Flows

The notion of an internal boundary layer (IBL) appeared in studies of local advection within the atmospheric boundary layer when air flows over a change in surface conditions. These include surface roughness, thermal and moisture properties. An ability to predict the height of the IBL interface in the atmosphere under neutral stability, accompanied by certain assumptions on the form of the mean flow parameters, have been a means of obtaining information on the velocity profile after step changes in roughness for more than half a century. A compendium of IBL formulae is presented. The approach based on the diffusion analogy of Miyake receives close attention. The empirical expression of Savelyev and Taylor (2001, Boundary Layer Meteorol. 101, 293–301) suggested that turbulent diffusion is not the only factor that influences IBL growth. An argument is offered that an additional element, mean vertical velocity or streamline displacement, should be taken into account. Vertical velocity is parameterized in terms of horizontal velocity differences employing continuity constraints and scaling. Published data are analyzed from a new point of view, which produces two new neutral stratification formulae. The first implies that the roughness lengths of adjacent surfaces are equally important and a combined length scale can be constructed. In addition new formulae to predict the height of the region of diabatic flow affected by a step change in surface conditions are obtained as an extension of the neutral flow case.     

The flow in a turbulent boundary layer upstream of a change in surface roughness

Modification of a turbulent flow upstream of a change in surface roughness has been studied by means of a stream function-vorticity model.A flow reduction is found upstream of a step change in surface roughness when a fluid flows from a smooth onto a rough surface. Above that layer and above the region of flow reduction downstream of a smooth-rough transition, a flow acceleration is observed. Similar flow modification can be seen at a rough-smooth transition with the exception that flow reduction and flow acceleration are reversed. Within a fetch of –500 < x/z ₀< + 500 (z ₀ is the maximum roughness length, the roughness transition is located at x/z ₀ = 0), flow reduction (flow acceleration) upstream of a roughness transition is one order of magnitude smaller than the flow reduction (flow acceleration) downstream of a smooth-rough (rough-smooth) transition. The flow acceleration (flow reduction) above that layer is two orders of magnitude.The internal boundary layer (IBL) for horizontal mean velocity extends to roughly 300z ₀ upstream of a roughness transition, whereas the IBL for turbulent shear stress as well as the distortion of flow equilibrium extend almost twice as far. For the friction velocity, an undershooting (overshooting) with respect to upstream equilibrium is predicted which precedes overshooting (undershooting) over new equilibrium just behind a roughness transition.The flow modification over a finite fetch of modified roughness is weaker than over a corresponding fetch downstream of a single step change in roughness and the flow stays closer to upstream equilibrium. Even in front of the first roughness change of a finite fetch of modified roughness, a distortion of flow equilibrium due to the second, downwind roughness change can be observed.     

下垫面特性突变时的内边界层数值研究

本文建立了一个考虑层结的二维内边界层数值模式,研究了下垫面粗糙度、温度、湿度突变引起的内边界层。结果表明:下垫面温度突变引起的温度内边界层与下垫面粗糙度突变引起的速度内边界层具有明显的差异。     

下垫面粗糙度突变时的内边界层研究

本文介绍了下垫面粗糙度突变时内边界层的形成过程,阐述了内边界层研究的意义,总结和分析了内边界层在理论研究、实验和观测以及数值模拟方面的主要成果。     

Two-dimensional microclimate distribution within and above a crop canopy in an arid environment: Modeling and observational studies

A numerical two-dimensional model based on higher-order closure assumptions is developed to simulate the horizontal microclimate distribution over an irrigated field in arid surroundings. The model considers heat, mass, momentum, and radiative fluxes in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. Its vertical domain extends through the whole planetary boundary layer. The model requires temporal solar and atmospheric radiation data, as well as temporal boundary conditions for wind-speed, air temperature, and humidity. These boundary conditions are specified by an auxiliary mesoscale model and are incorporated in the microscale model by a nudging method. Vegetation parameters (canopy height, leaf-angle orientation distribution, leaf-area index, photometric properties, root-density distribution), soil texture, and soil-hydraulic and photometric properties are considered.The model is tested using meteorological data obtained in a drip-irrigated cotton field located in an extremely arid area, where strong fetch effects are expected. Four masts located 50 m before the leading edge of the field and 10, 30, and 100 m inward from the leading edge are used to measure various meteorological parameters and their horizontal and vertical gradients.Calculated values of air and soil temperatures, wind-speed, net radiation and soil, latent, and sensible heat fluxes agreed well with measurements. Large horizontal gradients of air temperature are both observed and measured within the canopy in the first 40 m of the leading edge. Rate of evapotranspiration at both the upwind and the downwind edges of the field are higher by more than 15% of the midfield value. Model calculations show that a stable thermal stratification is maintained above the whole field for 24 h. The aerodynamic and thermal internal boundary layer (IBL) growth is proportional to the square root of the fetch. This is also the observed rate of growth of the thermal IBL over a cool sea surface.     

A Lagrangian Model to Predict the Modification of Near-Surface Scalar Mixing Ratios and Air–Water Exchange Fluxes in Offshore Flow

A model was developed to predict the modification with fetch in offshore flow of mixing ratio, air–water exchange flux, and near-surface vertical gradients in mixing ratio of a scalar due to air–water exchange. The model was developed for planning and interpretation of air–water exchange flux measurements in the coastal zone. The Lagrangian model applies a mass balance over the internal boundary layer (IBL) using the integral depth scale approach, previously applied to development of the nocturnal boundary layer overland. Surface fluxes and vertical profiles in the surface layer were calculated using the NOAA COARE bulk algorithm and gas transfer model (e.g., Blomquist et al. 2006, Geophys Res Lett 33:1–4). IBL height was assumed proportional to the square root of fetch, and estimates of the IBL growth rate coefficient, α, were obtained by three methods: (1) calibration of the model to a large dataset of air temperature and humidity modification over Lake Ontario in 1973, (2) atmospheric soundings from the 2004 New England Air Quality Study and (3) solution of a simplified diffusion equation and an estimate of eddy diffusivity from Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST). Reasonable agreement was obtained between the calibrated and MOST values of α for stable, neutral, and unstable conditions, and estimates of α agreed with previously published parametrizations that were valid for the stable IBL only. The parametrization of α provides estimates of IBL height, and the model estimates modification of scalar mixing ratio, fluxes, and near-surface gradients, under conditions of coastal offshore flow (0–50 km) over a wide range in stability.     

The Evolution Of Turbulence Across A Forest Edge

An experiment was set-up to investigate the adjustment of turbulence over a roughness transition (moorland to forest). Results from this experiment support the development of an internal boundary layer (IBL) at the transition, which propagates upwards by turbulent diffusion as a function of distance downwind from the transition. Spectra and length-scale results uphold the hypothesis that, over a transition to a rough surface, the variance distribution shifts towards smaller wavelengths/length scales. However, results suggest that the adjustment of streamwise velocity variance may be faster than the adjustment of the vertical velocity variance. The concept of an equilibrium layer developing above the new surface is supported. Fetch requirements for equilibrium are, however, found to differ between first order and second order (flux) statistics, with second order statistics requiring a longer fetch. Results indicate that fetch should exceed 25 times the height of the measurement above the zero plane, which is a 2° (±0.5) growth angle, for flux equilibrium.     

西北干旱区荒漠水分循环特征及其模拟

利用"中国西北干旱区陆—气相互作用实验"观测的资料,分析了大气湿度、土壤含水量、与土壤含水量相关的陆面参数及其他陆面参数特征。为了验证新的陆面参数及参数化公式,将新陆面参数与参数化公式输入陆面模式进行模拟,将模拟值与观测值进行了比较。结果表明输入新参数及参数化公式的模拟效果更好。     

Boundary layer structure over an inhomogeneous surface: Simulation with a non-hydrostatic mesoscale model

A three-dimensional, non-hydrostatic mesoscale model is used to study boundary-layer structure over an area characterized by the city of Copenhagen, the Øresund strait, and adjacent coastal farmland. Simulations are compared with data obtained on June 5, 1984 during the Øresund experiment.Under moderately strong wind conditions, a stable internal boundary layer (IBL) developed over the Øresund strait during the day. Near-surface winds decelerate over water due to diminished vertical momentum transfer.The turbulent kinetic energy field closely reflects the surface roughness distribution due to the imposed relatively strong wind forcing. TKE budgets over water, farmland and a city area are discussed by inspection of vertical profiles of the individual terms. The buoyancy term is used to indicate IBL heights because it changes sign at the boundary between different stability regimes. Measured and simulated dissipation rates show a decrease in the transition zone as the air travels over water and an abrupt increase when the IBL over a downwind city area is intersected. The top of the stable IBL is characterized by a minimum in the vertical TKE profile.     

应用印痕函数研究测风塔资料代表性

影响测风塔代表性的因素很多,为了合理地确定测风塔观测结果能够代表的区域范围,需要通过适当的方法综合考虑这些因素。湍流通量代表性研究中常用的印痕函数是风速、稳定度、下垫面粗糙度等的函数,可以定量地刻画单点观测结果的代表性。利用印痕函数方法对中国风能资源观测网中来自不同下垫面的44个测风塔2010年的观测结果进行了测风塔资料的代表性分析。首先,根据两层(10、70 m)的风速和温度计算稳定度参数L_p并确定中性层结,粗糙度的计算选取了中性层结条件下满足对数风廓线的资料。然后,利用中性层结下70 m高度主导风向和风向频率较大方位的资料分析了两种印痕函数方法(Schuepp和Hsieh方法)的适用性及代表性范围与粗糙度的关系。两种方法得到的印痕函数对应距离(即代表性范围)比较接近。但是,在复杂山地Schuepp方法已不适用。当粗糙度小于10 m时,粗糙度与印痕函数对应距离的关系可用对数-线性函数描述。根据经验推荐了利用印痕函数积分90%对应的距离以及下垫面显著变化位置来确定测风塔代表范围。但是,印痕函数积分阈值仍需要通过示踪实验或数值模拟检验。     

Wind profile development above a locally adjusted sea surface

Results are presented from a numerical experiment of wind and shear stress profile development away from a shore line; the water surface is assumed to obey the Charnock-Ellison relation between surface roughness and friction velocity. In typical cases the upwind, land surface is rough relative to the sea and the velocity and shear stress results are qualitatively similar to those for flows from relatively rough to relatively smooth solid surfaces. In the present case, however, the downwind surface roughness and friction velocity vary with position and we find that wind profile development may play a significant role in the relationship between sea surface roughness and fetch.     

Response of neutral boundary layers to changes of roughness

When air blows across a change in surface roughness, an internal boundary layer (IBL) develops within which the wind adapts to the new surface. This process is well described for short fetches, > 1 km. However, few data exist for large fetches on how the IBL grows to become a new equilibrium boundary layer where again the drag laws can be used to estimate the surface wind.To study this problem, data have been sampled for two years from four 30-m meteorological masts placed from 0 to 30 km inland from the North Sea coast of Jutland in Denmark. The present analysis is limited to neutral stratification, and the surface roughness is the main parameter. The analysis of wind data and two simple models, a surface layer and a planetary boundary layer (PBL) model, are described.Results from both models are discussed and compared with data analysis. Model parameters have been evaluated and the model sensitivity to those parameters has been investigated. Using the model parameters, a large-scale roughness length has been estimated.Istituto Di Fisica dell' Atmosfera I.F.A. — CNR, Rome, Italy.     

Comprehensive Parametrization of Surface-Layer Transfer Coefficients for Use in Atmospheric Numerical Models

A new non-iterative bulk parametrization for surface-layer transfer coefficients for momentum and heat is presented. It is applicable for a wide range of aerodynamic and thermal roughness lengths, and includes the effect of the roughness sublayer. As a consequence, the non-iterative method is suitable for every surface type, especially for urban surfaces for which existing non-iterative parametrizations fail. The analytical approximation compares very well with an iterative approach. Our method can be easily implemented in atmospheric numerical models that already employ a non-iterative approach.     

冬季北京城市近地层的气象特征

运用2001年1～3月北京大气边界层和大气化学综合试验期间,中国科学院大气物理研究所铁塔上所获得的8～320 m 15层风、温度和湿度梯度资料,对冬季北京城市边界层特征进行了诊断分析.结果表明,在冬季北京城市边界层中,平均而言地表粗糙度为1.34、零平均位移约为20 m;温度基本上随高度呈线性变化;风速随高度的变化并不总遵循对数关系,尤其是在午前和夜间,风速与高度之间对数关系的不显著率可达30%～40%.不能简单套用在Monin-Obuhov相似理论中由Businger-Dve风廓线层结订正获得的近地面层动量、热量和水汽湍流输送计算公式.     

过水体气流流速的改变

流场如何适应非均匀地表面是微气象学的一个重要问题。本文通过建立一个包含地面过程参数化和水温预报方案的非静力平衡中小尺度数值模式来研究过水体气流流速改变的空间结构和变化规律。结果表明:由于水体使表面粗糙度有脉冲式跃变,当较强气流流过时,形成两个内边界层,这两个内边界层在空间交汇呈“舌状”分布,在此之内流速增大,并且地面粗糙度愈大,流速增大愈多。大气层结明显地影响过水体气流流速的改变,造成流速改变有明显的日变化和季节性变化。过水体气流流向改变不大。      

Sea and Lake Breezes: A Review of Numerical Studies

Numerical studies of sea and lake breezes are reviewed. The modelled dependence of sea-breeze and lake-breeze characteristics on the land surface sensible heat flux, ambient geostrophic wind, atmospheric stability and moisture, water body dimensions, terrain height and slope, Coriolis parameter, surface roughness length, and shoreline curvature is discussed. Consensus results on the influence of these geophysical variables on sea and lake breezes are synthesized as well as current gaps in our understanding. A brief history of numerical modelling, an overview of recent high-resolution simulations, and suggestions for future research related to sea and lake breezes are also presented. The results of this survey are intended to be a resource for numerical modelling, coastal air quality, and wind power studies.     

On the growth rate of wind‐generated waves

Abstract

A new approach to fetch‐limited wave studies is taken in this paper. Using data from five towers arranged along a line from the eastern shore of Lake St Clair, the differential growth between towers is explored as a function of local wave age. It is argued that this method avoids the usual fetch‐limited pitfall of inhomogeneity over long fetches and, in particular, the changes in wind speed downfetch of an abrupt roughness change. It is found that the growth rate decreases uniformly downfetch as the waves approach full development. This differential method leads to a smooth transition from rapidly growing short fetch waves to the asymptotic invariant state of full development. When the variation in wind speed after an abrupt (land to water) roughness change is taken into account, the idea of a universal fetch‐limited growth curve is called into question.