Similarity Aspects of the Vertical Velocity and Temperature Spectra and the Refractive Index Parameter

Abstract

Spectra of the turbulence fluctuations of the vertical wind component and temperature vary with height in the atmospheric boundary layer. This vertical change of the spectra can be expressed in terms of the vertical change of the dissipation rate of kinetic energy ε and variance of the temperature fluctuation and mean wind speed. Here, relations expressing the vertical change of the spectra are derived using the similarity hypothesis proposed by
Yokoyama et al. (1979). The vertical profile relation for the spectra is compared with observed spectra normalized by q0 and u*0 which have been estimated by using their vertical profile relations, and relatively good agreement between the derived relations and observations has been obtained. As an application of the temperature spectrum relation, the refractive index structure parameter, C_T², which is proportional to echo intensity of the SODAR sound, is derived. The shape of the theoretical profile of C_T² fit the observations, well.