Atmospheric turbulence

Abstract

Abstract Evidence which has accumulated shows that the classical theory of atmospheric turbulence which assumes that K the coefficient of eddy diffusion is constant with height is inadequate to explain the observed variations of wind and temperature with height. It was shown however by the present writer, 1946, that if K could be represented by a certain power law of the height above the surface it was possible to account for many of the complicated problems of atmospheric diffusion near the earth's surface. In the present paper it is shown that with this power law representation of K it is possible to give a quantitative treatment of the approach of the surface wind to the geostrophic wind. The angle of veer between the surface wind and the isobars is found to be independent of the roughness of the surface and to be dependent only upon the stability. The diurnal variation of wind speed and direction at various heights is discussed on the basis of the present theory and is shown to be in accordance with observations.