Analytic Prediction of the Properties of Stratified Planetary Surface Layers

George L. Mellor Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Program, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. 08540

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Abstract

By considering the complex of one-point, turbulent moment equations for velocity, pressure and temperature, it appears possible to predict some properties of diabatic, density-stratified planetary layers using empirical information obtained from laboratory turbulence data in the absence of density stratification. In this paper attention is focused on the near-surface, constant-flux layer. The results, like the empirical input, are simple and, hopefully, will be instructive and useful in the formulation of improved and possibly more complicated models in the future.

Abstract

By considering the complex of one-point, turbulent moment equations for velocity, pressure and temperature, it appears possible to predict some properties of diabatic, density-stratified planetary layers using empirical information obtained from laboratory turbulence data in the absence of density stratification. In this paper attention is focused on the near-surface, constant-flux layer. The results, like the empirical input, are simple and, hopefully, will be instructive and useful in the formulation of improved and possibly more complicated models in the future.

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