Structure of the Free Convective Internal Boundary Layer Above the Coastal Area

Abstract

A model for the free convective internal boundary layer (IBLt) is derived by replacing the time axis in the mixed layer theory with the downwind distance axis. Summers' (1964) original model for the heat island is modified to the coastal atmosphere, taking into consideration the horizontal variation of the surface heat flux and vertical variation of the temperature lapse rate of the stable marine atmosphere. Also, a model for the spatial variation of turbulent quantities in the IBLt is obtained. Estimation of the potential temperature within the IBLt agrees well with observations. Estimated trends of turbulent quantities agree with observations as a first order estimation.