Higher-order mean velocity profile in the convective atmospheric boundary layer

ORAL

Abstract



The mean velocity profile in the surface layer of the atmospheric boundary layer is generally considered to follow the Monin-Obukhov similarity, a leading-order theory. It is well known that measured mean profiles show scatters that cannot be explained by uncertainties. We derive the higher-order mean velocity profile using the Multipoint Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory, which includes additional parameters to account for the deviation from the Monin-Obukhov Similarity function. The relevant equations form a singular perturbation problem. An approximate solution is obtained using the method of matched asymptotic expansions. To obtain the coefficients in the higher-order terms, we conducted a field campaign, Multipoint Monin-Obukhov Horizontal ArrayTurbulence Studies (M2HATS) in the summer/fall of 2023 in Tonopah NV. Sonic anemometers on a tower and two Doppler lidars were deployed to obtain the mean profile up to an approximately 2 km height. Preliminary comparisons between the measurement results and the theoretical prediction will be presented.

Presenters

  • Davoud Pourabdollah

    Clemson University

Authors

  • Davoud Pourabdollah

    Clemson University

  • Chenning Tong

    Clemson University

  • Kirill Barskov

    Clemson University