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Generalizing Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory (1954) for Complex Atmospheric Turbulence

Ivana Stiperski and Marc Calaf
Phys. Rev. Lett. 130, 124001 – Published 24 March 2023
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Abstract

Monin-Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) forms the basis for parametrizations of turbulent exchange in virtually all numerical models of atmospheric flows. Yet, its limitations to flat and horizontally homogeneous terrain have plagued the theory since its inception. Here we present a first generalized extension of MOST based on the inclusion of turbulence anisotropy as an additional nondimensional term. This novel theory developed based on an unprecedented ensemble of complex atmospheric turbulence datasets covering flat to mountainous terrain, is shown to be valid in conditions in which MOST fails and thus paves the way to a better understanding of complex turbulence.

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  • Received 31 July 2022
  • Revised 5 October 2022
  • Accepted 28 January 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.130.124001

Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

Published by the American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Nonlinear DynamicsFluid Dynamics

Authors & Affiliations

Ivana Stiperski*

  • Department of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria

Marc Calaf

  • Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA

  • *ivana.stiperski@uibk.ac.at
  • marc.calaf@utah.edu

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Issue

Vol. 130, Iss. 12 — 24 March 2023

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