The wind structure in planetary boundary layer

The investigations on the dynamics of the PBL have been developed in recent years. Some authors emphasized macro-dynamics and others emphasized micro-structure of the PBL. In this paper, we study and review some main characteristics of the wind field in the PBL from the view point connecting the macro-dynamics and micro-structure of the PBL, thus providing the physical basis for the further research of the dynamics and the parameterization of the PBL.     

Experiments on integral length scale control in atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel

Accurate predictions of turbulent characteristics in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) depends on understanding the effects of surface roughness on the spatial distribution of velocity, turbulence intensity, and turbulence length scales. Simulation of the ABL characteristics have been performed in a short test section length wind tunnel to determine the appropriate length scale factor for modeling, which ensures correct aeroelastic behavior of structural models for non-aerodynamic applications. The ABL characteristics have been simulated by using various configurations of passive devices such as vortex generators, air barriers, and slot in the test section floor which was extended into the contraction cone. Mean velocity and velocity fluctuations have been measured using a hot-wire anemometry system. Mean velocity, turbulence intensity, turbulence scale, and power spectral density of velocity fluctuations have been obtained from the experiments for various configuration of the passive devices. It is shown that the integral length scale factor can be controlled using various combinations of the passive devices.     

Scale effects in wind tunnel modeling of an urban atmospheric boundary layer

Precise urban atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) wind tunnel simulations are essential for a wide variety of atmospheric studies in built-up environments including wind loading of structures and air pollutant dispersion. One of key issues in addressing these problems is a proper choice of simulation length scale. In this study, an urban ABL was reproduced in a boundary layer wind tunnel at different scales to study possible scale effects. Two full-depth simulations and one part-depth simulation were carried out using castellated barrier wall, vortex generators, and a fetch of roughness elements. Redesigned “Counihan” vortex generators were employed in the part-depth ABL simulation. A hot-wire anemometry system was used to measure mean velocity and velocity fluctuations. Experimental results are presented as mean velocity, turbulence intensity, Reynolds stress, integral length scale of turbulence, and power spectral density of velocity fluctuations. Results suggest that variations in length-scale factor do not influence the generated ABL models when using similarity criteria applied in this study. Part-depth ABL simulation compares well with two full-depth ABL simulations indicating the truncated vortex generators developed for this study can be successfully employed in urban ABL part-depth simulations.     

Simulation of three-dimensional wind flow over complex terrain in the atmospheric boundary layer

A three-dimensional model for wind prediction over rough terrain has been developed for practical use. It is a compromise between hydrodynamic and objective wind models. The proposed model includes: (1) a statistical model to predict the wind velocity and potential temperature at anemometer height at observing stations, (2) the drainage wind model expressed by Prandtl's analytic solution for the slope wind, (3) the Businger-Dyer surface-layer formulation which considers the surface energy budget and (4) the model for three-dimensional boundary-layer solutions to the stationary flow. In this model, mass consistency is guaranteed by using flow fields that satisfy the continuity equation. Model predictions show good agreement with the observations.     

The composite shape and structure of coherent eddies in the convective boundary layer

Conditional sampling is used to locate coherent structures in a large data set obtained from flights by an instrumented light aircraft in convective boundary layers over Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. The high resolution and excellent spatial coverage of the data enable a detailed study of the internal structure of surface-layer plumes and mixed-layer thermals. A compositing technique is used to construct averaged traverses through coherent structures located within aircraft data runs of different altitudes and directions. Groups of composites are combined to form horizontal and vertical cross-sections which describe the internal flow patterns and the distribution of physical variables associated with typical coherent structures and their environment. In addition to the well-known along-wind features of surface-layer plumes, a strong, consistent inflow/entrainment pattern is evident in the lateral direction. Air from the horizontal plane channels around the sides and then in behind the microfront present at the upstream edge. Forces set up by the driving instability in the along-wind and vertical directions are counter-balanced by organised flow in the across-wind direction. It is found that mixed-layer thermal towers have a relatively simple form, consisting primarily of large columns of warm, upward-moving turbulent air, which may occasionally be in a state of slow rotation. An analysis of possible geometrical distortions within the results is performed, leading to a comparison ofw/z estimated from the horizontal velocity convergence field inside plumes/thermals, with that computed from the slope of partitionedw profiles.     

Characteristics of wind speed and wind direction in the atmospheric boundary layer on the southern coast of Bulgaria

The characteristics of wind speed and wind direction in the boundary atmospheric layer measured at the meteorological station in Akhtopol (Bulgaria) are presented. The measurements were carried out with the Scintec sodar and MK-15 automatic meteorological station. The sodar measurement data on wind parameters at different heights in different months are presented as well as the frequency of inshore and offshore wind directions, that enables to trace the intensity of the breeze circulation. The frequency of calms and wind speeds at the heights of 50, 100, and 200 m according to gradations for different months and the probability of wind of various speeds depending on the direction are also given. The breeze front characteristics in June–September of 2009 are computed from the speed and direction of surface wind measured with the acoustic anemometer of MK-15 complex.     

荒漠绿洲边界层结构的数值模拟

陆-气相互作用和中小尺度天气系统的研究中,水平不均匀边界层和水平不均匀地表的强迫作用都是重要的物理过程.本文用已建立的陆面过程与大气边界层耦合模式(BLCM),较详细地研究了草地周围为荒漠(半沙漠)的地表植被不均匀而造成的边界层结构特征和局地环流及其昼夜变化.通过边界层顶影响自由大气不同尺度的运动.模式结果揭示出最强的上升和下沉运动是发生在荒漠-草地间动力和热力不连续的界面附近,且呈现出不对称性.     

大气边界层研究进展

基于2013—2015年6—8月“第三次青藏高原大气科学试验（TIPEX-Ⅲ）”和常规气象业务探空观测资料、欧洲中期天气预报中心（ECMWF）第5代再分析（ERA-5）数据以及“国际卫星云气候计划（ISCCP）”云量资料,采用统计分析和物理量诊断分析方法,研究了夏季青藏高原（简称高原）大气对流边界层高度东西差异对高原地区天气尺度环流的影响。结果表明：高原对流边界层高度东西差异表现出明显的日变化,且这种差异呈现西高东低的分布特征,主要由西部对流边界层高度明显增大所致。当中午对流边界层高度东西向差异增大时,午后地面虚位温6 h变差呈西部高、东部低的特征,且西部变化更明显,高原西部对流边界层内温度升高,东部略降低,并伴随着高原西部对流边界层内气压降低、高层升高且低压系统较浅薄,而东部低层气压升高;高原低层东高西低的气压场特征产生了异常东西向气压梯度,引起高原中部低层出现偏南风异常,伴随着西部的低层异常辐合和高层异常辐散;同时,浅薄的低压有助于当地低云发展。     

Scaling the atmospheric boundary layer

We review scaling regimes of the idealized Atmospheric Boundary Layer. The main emphasis is given on recent findings for stable conditions. We present diagrams in which the scaling regimes are illustrated as a function of the major boundary-layer parameters. A discussion is given on the different properties of the scaling regimes in unstable and stable conditions.     

强雷雨云边界层小尺度结构和谱特征

本文利用强雷雨云通过期间北京325米气象塔资料,分析了强雷雨云低层流出气流的小尺度结构、湍流结构和谱特征。     

An analysis of the structure of thunderstorm in the atmospheric boundary layer

The structure of thunderstorm in the atmospheric boundary layer in Beijing area is analysed by using three-year data of tower. It is indicated that the outflow current of the thunderstorm in the lower layer is a sort of density current. An area of evident wind direction shear is found at about half an hour to one hour before the arrival of the gust front.The maximum intensity of the shear can reach 0.35sec-1.The inner structure within the density current is also very complicated. At the nocturnal stable boundary layer in summertime, the development of the convective motions is often triggered due to the instability of the Kelvin-Helmholtz wave.     

The wind in the baroclinic boundary layer with three sublayers incorporating the weak non-linear effect

In considering the weak non-linear effect, and using the small parameter expansion method, the analyt-ical expressions of the wind distribution within PBL (planetary boundary layer) and the vertical velocity at the top of the PBL are obtained when the PBL is divided into three layers and different eddy transfer coefficients K are adopted for the three layers. The conditions of barotropy and neutrality for the PBL are extended to that of baroclinity and non-neutral stratification. An example of a steady circular vortex is used to display the characteristics of the horizontal wind within the PBL and the vertical velocity at the top of the PBL. Some new results have been obtained, indicating that the magnitude of the speed in the lower height calculated by the present model is larger than that by the model in which k is a constant within the whole boundary layer, for example, in the classical Ekman boundary layer model and the model by Wu (1984). The angle between the wind at the top of the PBL and the wind near the surface calculated by the present model is less than that calculated by the single K model. These results are in agreement with the observations.     

Analysis of turbulent exchange and coherent structures in the stable atmospheric boundary layer based on tower observations

Using data collected at the Spanish low troposphere research centre CIBA (Centro de Investigación de la Baja Atmósfera) and at the Cabauw Experimental Site for Atmospheric Research (CESAR) in the Netherlands, we analyzed the most significant features of different coherent structures occurring in the stable atmospheric boundary layer. In particular, we used both the Reynolds and wavelet methods to analyze a solitary wave, a gravity wave, a density current and a low-level jet. For each of these structures, we found that wavelet analysis had the capacity to distinguish the different scales involved in these events due to the different timing and heights of the thermal instabilities and downdrafts associated with the disturbances. In addition, the wavelet method highlights the different roles of turbulence and coherent structures in the transfer of heat, moisture and CO₂ in the nocturnal boundary layer.     

Mean horizontal wind profiles measured in the atmospheric boundary layer about a simulated block building

Instrumented wind towers are used to measure the three components of wind about a simulated block building. The mean horizontal wind profiles over the building are compared with wind profiles measured in the absence of the building and the wind speed deficit in the wake of the building is correlated.Horizontal mean wind speeds measured in the natural atmospheric boundary layer with and without the presence of a simulated building show excellent reproducibility and agreement with fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics. The data possess all the characteristic features reported from wind-tunnel studies of building flows. In the present study the turbulence intensity is of the order of 20% in the undisturbed flow whereas the free stream turbulence intensity of wind-tunnel studies is generally not more than 5%. The effect of smaller averaging periods and the structure of the turbulence will be reported at a later time.The velocity profiles measured in the undisturbed flow zones support the representation of a neutrally stable atmospheric boundary layer with a logarithmic wind profile.     

On similarity in the atmospheric boundary layer

A similarity theory for the atmospheric boundary layer is presented. The Monin-Obukhov similarity theory for the surface layer is a particular case of this new theory, for the case of z 0. Universal functions which are in agreement with empirical data are obtained for the stable and convective regimes.On leave from Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw Technical University, 00653 Warsaw, Poland. Present address, Department of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53201 U.S.A.     

Observations of a multi-level turbulence structure in a very stable atmospheric boundary layer

Boundary-layer measurements conducted at the Marsta site in Sweden from a winter-time situation (23–25 Feb.) with stable stratification have been analysed. The data comprise wind and temperature profile measurements up to 30 m, turbulence measurements at 2, 6 and 30 m and Doppler acoustic sounder data up to about 150 m. The upwind fetch at the site is flat and free from obstacles to a distance of ca 5 km for the particular sector chosen for the experiment.During the night, a two-layer vertical structure developed. Analysis of power spectra, co-spectra and variances in a shallow and very stable turbulent boundary layer near the ground show that the turbulence is fully developed and follow the universal behaviour.Above, at a height of 30 m, another turbulent layer is produced by increased wind shear near a low-level jet. This turbulent upper layer can be regarded as a layer of free shear flow. At this height, there also exist wave-turbulence interactions at low frequencies which sometimes cause a countergradient heat flux.     

The perturbed structure of the neutral atmospheric boundary layer over irregular terrain

The differential equations for first-order (linear) response of the planetary boundary layer are formulated for flow over periodic terrain, for variations in both surface roughness and terrain elevation. A simple second-order closure model of the turbulence is used, and Coriolis forces are neglected. Flow over a periodic terrain produces corresponding periodic structure in all meteorological fields above the surface. The periodic structure consists of two components. The first is very nearly evanescent with height. It corresponds to the motion that would be observed were the atmosphere inviscid. The second component, introduced by turbulent viscosity, exhibits a phase variation with height in addition to a decay in amplitude. W.K.B. [Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin] approximations for the two components are developed, and the coupling between the components is discussed. The formulation for calculating solutions by numerical integration is developed, including specification of appropriate boundary conditions. Calculations are presented in a companion paper.Wave Propagation Laboratory.Environmental Science Group.     

Some aspects of the structure of the stably stratified atmospheric boundary layer

Results of an analysis based on the Leipzig wind data are presented. The computed stress profiles and the proportionality constant in the inverse relationship between the non-dimensionalized stable boundary-layer height and the square root of the stability parameter seem to agree well with the model results of Businger and Arya (1974).     

The perturbed structure of the neutral atmospheric boundary layer over irregular terrain

The first-order (linear) response of the planetary boundary layer is calculated for flow over periodic terrain, for variations in both surface roughness and terrain elevation. Calculations are made for horizontal wavenumbers varying from 10^–4m^–1 to 3 × 10^–3m^–1. A simple second-order closure model of the turbulence is used, and Coriolis and buoyancy forces are neglected. As expected, flow over a periodic terrain produces corresponding periodic structure in all meteorological fields above the surface. The periodic structure consists of two components. The first is very nearly evanescent with height, showing little vertical structure. It corresponds to the motion that would be observed were the atmosphere inviscid. The second component, introduced by turbulent viscosity, exhibits considerable vertical structure, with vertical wavelengths the order of 100 m, and thus could be responsible for the layering often seen on acoustic sounder observations of the atmospheric boundary layer.Wave Propagation Laboratory.Environmental Science Group.