Effects of Terrain Complexity and Atmospheric Stability on Wind Shear and Turbulence Characteristics in Open and Peri-Urban Environments

The effects of urban canopy, terrain features, and atmospheric thermal stability on mean wind speed, direction, and turbulence profiles are studied using a year of meteorological data from tall towers. Two sites equipped with tall meteorological towers are examined: the Reese Technology Center at Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock, Texas, and a site in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. These sites offer contrasting environments, enabling a comparative study of wind behavior under different climatic and topographic conditions. Lubbock’s semi-arid climate and strong diurnal temperature cycle are expected to significantly influence wind speed, veer, and turbulence. Its flat terrain, sparse vegetation, and low-rise structures make it ideal for isolating atmospheric stability effects. High-resolution data from 3D sonic anemometers at 10 vertical levels (up to 200 m) allow detailed analysis of turbulence intensity, TKE, and length scales, comparable to prior work by Lundquist and Clifton at NREL. The Cedar Rapids site presents moderately complex terrain near residential areas and shallow hills, allowing a re-evaluation of stability effects under greater surface heterogeneity. This work contributes to improved understanding of wind and turbulence behavior across varied environments.