Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Turbulence in an unstable surface layer over suburban terrain

  • Published:
Boundary-Layer Meteorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Turbulence spectra and integral statistics measured in unstable conditions over a suburban surface are presented. The stability dependence of the integral statistics is shown to be consistent with surface layer scaling, with adiabatic limits near those over much smoother surfaces. The spectra are computed over a wider range of non-dimensional frequency than previously reported for this type of surface, and show clearly the low-frequency roll-off. The horizontal components show three distinct spectral regions as elucidated by Kaimal (1978). Due to large uncertainties in the spectral amplitudes, very little systematic dependence on the Monin-Obukhov stability parameter could be detected over a wide range of unstable conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bowne, N. E. and Ball, J. T.: 1970, ‘Observational Comparison of Rural and Urban Boundary Layer Turbulence’, J. Appl. Meteorol. 9, 862–873.

    Google Scholar 

  • Busch, N. E.: 1973, ‘The Surface Boundary-Layer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 4, 213–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brook, R. R.: 1974, ‘A Study of Wind Structure in an Urban Environment’, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 232 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, J. F., Ching, J. K. S., Binkowski, F. S., and Godowitch, J. M.: 1978, ‘Turbulent Structure of the Urban Surface Boundary Layer’, Presented at the NATO/CCMS Ninth International Technical Meeting on Air Pollution Modelling and its Application, Aug. 28–31, 1978, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  • Coppin, P. A.: 1979, ‘Turbulent Fluxes Over a Uniform Urban Surface’, Ph.D. Thesis, The Flinders University of South Australia, Flinders, 196 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Counihan, J.: 1975, ‘Adiabatic Atmospheric Boundary Layers. A Review and Analysis of Data from the Period 1880–1972’, Atm. Env. 9, 871–905.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davenport, A. G.: 1967, ‘Instrumentation and Measurement of Wind Speed Spectra in a City’, Proceedings of the First Canadian Conference on Micrometeorology. Toronto, Canada, Dept. of Transport, Meteorological Branch, Pzrt II, 361–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deland, R. J.: 1968, ‘A Study of Atmospheric Turbulence over a City’. New York University, Geophysial Sciences Laboratory Report TR-68-14.

  • Duchêne-Marullaz, P.: 1975,‘Turbulence Atmospherique au Voisonage d'une Ville’. Report EN. CLI 75-2, entre Scientif. Tech. Bâtiment.

  • Horst, T. W.: 1972,‘A Computer Algorithm for Correcting Non-cosine Response in the Gill Anemometer. Pacific Northwest Laboratory Annual Report for 1977 to the US AEC Division of Biology and Medicine’, Vol. II: Physical Sciences Part 1: Atmospheric Sciences, BNWL-1651-1. Batelle, Richland, Washington.

  • Kaimal, J. C.: 1978,‘Horizontal Velocity Spectra in an Unstable Surface Layer’, J. Atm. Sci. 35, 18–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalanda, B. D., Oke, T. R., and Spittlehouse, D.: 1980,‘Suburban Energy Balance Estimates for Vancouver, B. C. using the Bowen Ratio-Energy lalance Approach’, J. Appl. Meteorol. 19, 791–802.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholas, F.: 1974,‘Parameterization of the Urban Fabric: A Study of Surface Roughness’, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Maryland, 161 pp.

  • Panofsky, H. A., Tennekes Lenschow, D. H., and Wyngaard, J. C.: 1977,‘The Characteristics of Turbulent Velocity Components in the Surface Layer under Convective Conditions’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 11, 355–361.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smedman-Högstrom, A. S. and Högstrom, U.: 1975,‘Spectral Gap in Surface-Layer Measurements’, J. Am. Sci. 32, 340–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steenbergen, J. D.: 1971,‘Comparison of Urban and Rural Turbulence Statistics at Edmonton, Alta’. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Edmonton.

  • Steyn, D. G.: 1980,‘Turbulence, Diffusion and The Daytime Mixed Layer Depth over a Coastal City’. Ph.D. Thesis, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 161 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanner, C. B. and Thurtell, G. W.: 1970,‘Sensible Heat Flux Measurements with a Yaw Sphere and Thermometer’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 1, 195–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wamser, C. and Müller, H.: 1977,‘On the Spectral Scale of Wind Fluctuations Within and About the Surface Layer’, Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 103, 721–730.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyngaard, J. C. and Coté, O. R.: 1974,‘The Evolution of a Convective Planetary Boundary Layer — A Higher-Order Closure Model Study’, Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 7, 289–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yap, D., Black, T.R., and Oke, T. R.: 1974,‘Calibration and Tests of a Yaw Sphere-Thermometer System for Sensible Heat Flux Measurements’, J. Appl. Meteorol. 13, 40–45.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

    D. G. Steyn

Authors
  1. D. G. Steyn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Steyn, D.G. Turbulence in an unstable surface layer over suburban terrain. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 22, 183–191 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118252

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00118252

Keywords

Search

Navigation