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Observations of Near-Surface Vertical Wind Profiles and Vertical Momentum Fluxes from VORTEX-SE 2017: Comparisons to Monin–Obukhov Similarity Theory.

Authors :
Markowski, Paul M.
Lis, Nathan T.
Turner, David D.
Lee, Temple R.
Buban, Michael S.
Source :
Monthly Weather Review; Oct2019, Vol. 147 Issue 10, p3811-3824, 14p, 1 Diagram, 1 Chart, 9 Graphs
Publication Year :
2019

Abstract

Observations of near-surface vertical wind profiles and vertical momentum fluxes obtained from a Doppler lidar and instrumented towers deployed during VORTEX-SE in the spring of 2017 are analyzed. In particular, departures from the predictions of Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) are documented on thunderstorm days, both in the warm air masses ahead of storms and within the cool outflow of storms, where MOST assumptions (e.g., horizontal homogeneity and a steady state) are least credible. In these regions, it is found that the nondimensional vertical wind shear near the surface commonly exceeds predictions by MOST. The departures from MOST have implications for the specification of the lower boundary condition in numerical simulations of convective storms. Documenting departures from MOST is a necessary first-step toward improving the lower boundary condition and parameterization of near-surface turbulence ("wall models") in storm simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00270644
Volume :
147
Issue :
10
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Monthly Weather Review
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
139474570
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-19-0091.1