The Height Correction of Similarity Functions in the Stable Boundary Layer

Abstract

Empirical similarity functions of the Richardson number, obtained from bin-averaged data in the lower part of the stable boundary layer, show an undesired dependence on height at which the observations are collected. A correction of this flaw is proposed and tested by employing the neutral mixing length lo as a similarity scale for height. The function of height describing lo is assumed to be linear in the surface layer, and approaching a specified value with increasing height. The modification does not alter the dependence of similarity functions on the Richardson number, and is shown to be supported by the Cooperative Atmospheric-Surface Exchange Study-1999 (CASES-99) data. © 2011 The Author(s).