Abstract
Assuming a steady and horizontal flow and thermal stratification in the Ekman layer, it is investigated how the wind structure in the layer is affected by thermal stratification. For this purpose an extrapolated application of the turbulent transfer relations, which hold in the lowest tens meters, to the entire layer is made.
The wind and stress vectors and exchange coefficient are calculated numerically as functions of height, thermal stratification and roughness parameter. It is found that the shape of the Ekman spiral is affected by thermal stratification in such a way that the wind component normal to isobar increases generally with increase of stability. It is also found that the magnitude of the stress decreases with increase of stability, that the wind speed in the lower layer decreases with increase of stability, and that the height of the Ekman layer increases with increase of instability. Comparison of the calculated results with observed data is made on the surface values, indicating fairly good agreement.
