Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Study of Radiative and Turbulent Processes in the Stable Boundary Layer under Weak Wind Conditions

S. G. Gopalakrishnan Centre for Atmospheric Science, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India

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Maithili Sharan Centre for Atmospheric Science, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India

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R. T. McNider Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama

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M. P. Singh Centre for Atmospheric Science, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, India

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Print Publication:
01 Mar 1998
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1998)055<0954:SORATP>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
954–960
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Abstract

The role of radiation and turbulence was studied in a weak wind nocturnal inversion layer using a one-dimensional model. In contrast to a strong wind stable boundary layer where cooling within the surface inversion layer is dominated by turbulence, radiative cooling becomes larger than turbulent cooling under weak wind conditions. Further, the surface inversion layer was found to grow all through the night under weak wind conditions, whereas it attained a near equilibrium in the case of strong wind.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Richard T. McNider, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899.

Abstract

The role of radiation and turbulence was studied in a weak wind nocturnal inversion layer using a one-dimensional model. In contrast to a strong wind stable boundary layer where cooling within the surface inversion layer is dominated by turbulence, radiative cooling becomes larger than turbulent cooling under weak wind conditions. Further, the surface inversion layer was found to grow all through the night under weak wind conditions, whereas it attained a near equilibrium in the case of strong wind.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Richard T. McNider, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899.

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