Revisit Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory and the Bulk Formula for Turbulence Parameterization

Abstract

The observations from the Cooperative Atmosphere-Surface Exchange Study in 1999 (CASES-99) field experiment suggest that the turbulent momentum mixing under moderate to strong winds is proportional to the bulk shear (wind speed over observation height), not local wind shear as in Monin-Obukhov similarity theory (MOST). The new result is due to the fact that if the mixing length at a given point in the atmospheric boundary layer is large enough to reach the ground, which happens under near neutral conditions or moderate to strong winds, the effect of the ground on turbulent mixing is significant, and the traditional assumption of the local gradient dependent turbulent mixing is not valid. However, if the mixing length is smaller than the observation height, such as under stable conditions, the effect of the ground on turbulent mixing decreases with height, the local shear becomes more relevant in turbulent strength. Parameterizations of the turbulent momentum and sensible heat fluxes using the traditional bulk formula derived from MOST and a new approach based on the above understanding are compared.

Date
Jun 17, 2014 3:30 PM — 4:30 PM
Location
Bechtel Collaboratory, Discovery Learning Center
Engineering Center, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309
JIELUN SUN

National Center for Atmospheric Research, NESL/MMM