Concerning the similarity theory of A. S. Monin and A. M. Obukhov for the turbulent structure of the thermally stratified surface layer of the atmosphere

Abstract

Abstract This paper considers the theoretical basis of the Monin‐Obukhov similarity theory for the turbulent, thermally stratified, surface layer of the atmosphere. It is shown that the classical form of the similarity theory cannot be applied legitimately to the variances of the horizontal components of the wind velocity fluctuation. This limitation of the theory has recently been suspected on the basis of observational data, although its theoretical demonstration emphasizes the need for caution when attempting to apply similarity theory to other characteristics of the surface layer turbulence that are currently of interest.