The vertical distribution of wind and turbulent exchange in a neutral atmosphere

Abstract

The problem of the approach to the geostrophic wind is solved assuming that the exchange coefficient is proportional to the one-third power of the rate of dissipation of turbulent energy. Reasonable agreement between the predicted and observed values of the surface stress, surface wind direction, and height of the layer of frictional influence is obtained when the size of the eddies is assumed to become independent of height at a relatively low level. The predicted vertical distribution of exchange coefficient is qualitatively in good agreement with that observed at Leipzig.