Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A simple extension of the Louis method for rough surface layer modelling

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

Abstract

The surface flux calculation method proposed by Louis (1979) is extended by allowing momentum and heat to have different roughness lengths (z 0 andz T respectively). Our approach is to extend the traditional analysis by a more careful consideration of potential temperature structure near the surface. This consideration leads to a redefinition of the bulk Richardson number. For bulk transfer coefficients, our method shows a significant improvement over the original Louis method when compared with the theoretical surface-layer model applied to rough surfaces. Numerical experiments simulating sea breezes in 2D show that our extension is crucially important in simulating light wind and low humidity 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

  • Businger, J. A., Wyngaard, J. C., Izumi, Y., and Bradley, E. F.: 1971, ‘Flux Profile Relationships in the Atmospheric Surface Layer’,J. Atmos. Sci. 28, 181–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, R. H.: 1970, ‘Recommended Methods for the Treatment of the Boundary Layer in Numerical Models’,Aust. Meteorol. Mag. 18, 51–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garratt, J. R. and Francey, R. J.: 1978, ‘Bulk Characteristics of Heat Transfer in the Unstable Baroclinic Atmospheric Boundary Layer’,Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 15, 399–421.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garratt, J. R.: 1992,The Atmospheric Boundary Layer, Cambridge University Press, 316 pp.

  • Kessler, R. C. and Douglas, S. G.: 1992,User's Guide to the System Applications International Mesoscale Model (Ver. 2.0), System Application Int., SYSAPP-92-085.

  • Louis, J-F.: 1979, ‘A Parametric Model of Vertical Eddy Fluxes in the Atmosphere’,Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 17, 187–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Louis, J-F., Tiedtle, M., and Geleyn, J.-F.: 1982, ‘A Short History of the PBL Parameterization at ECMWF’,Proceedings of the 1981 ECMWF Workshop on Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterization, 59–80, ECMWF, Reading U.K.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahrer, Y. and Pielke, R. A.: 1978, ‘A Test of an Upstream Spline Interpretation Technique for the Advective Terms in a Numerical, Mesoscale Model’,Mon. Wea. Rev. 106, 818–830.

    Google Scholar 

  • Owen, P. R. and Thomson, W. R.: 1963, ‘Heat Transfer Across Rough Surfaces’,J. Fluid Mech. 15, 321–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pielke, R. A.: 1974, ‘A Three Dimensional Numerical Model of the Sea Breezes over South Florida’,Mon. Wea. Rev. 102, 115–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pielke, R. A. Cotton, W. R., Walko R. L., Tremback, C. J., Lyons, W. A., Grasso, L. D., Nicholls, M. E., Moran, M. D., Wesley, D. A., Lee, T. J., and Copeland, J. H.: 1992, ‘A Comprehensive Meteorological Modeling, System-RAMS’,Meteorol. Atmos. Phys. 49, 69–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tremback, C. J. and Kessler, R.: 1985, ‘A Surface Temperature and Moisture Parametrization for use in Mesoscale Numerical Models’,Preprints, the 7th AMS Conf. Numerical Weather Prediction, June 17–20, Montreal, Quebec, Canada,American Meteorol. Sco., 355–358.

  • Ulrickson, B. L. and Mass, C. F.: 1990, ‘Numerical Investigation of Mesoscale Circulations over the Los Angles Basin. Part I. A Verification Study’,Mon. Wea. Rev.,118, 2138–2161.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. X -M. Cai

    Present address: The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT, Birmingham, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute for Environmental Studies, 305, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

    I. Uno

  2. The University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z2, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

    X -M. Cai & D. G. Steyn

  3. College of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 153, Tokyo, Japan

    S. Emori

Authors
  1. I. Uno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. X -M. Cai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. G. Steyn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S. Emori
    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

Uno, I., Cai, X.M., Steyn, D.G. et al. A simple extension of the Louis method for rough surface layer modelling. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 76, 395–409 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00709241

Download citation

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00709241

Keywords

Search

Navigation