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Stratified Atmospheric Boundary Layers

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Abstract

Various features of different stability regimes of the stable boundary layer are discussed. Traditional layering is examined in terms of the roughness sublayer, surface layer, local similarity, z-less stratification and the region near the boundary-layer top. In the very stable case, the strongest turbulence may be detached from the surface and generated by shear associated with a low level jet, gravity waves or meandering motions. In this case, similarity theory and the traditional concept of a boundary-layer break down. The elevated turbulence may intermittently recouple to the surface. Inability to adequately measure turbulent fluxes in very stable conditions limits our knowledge of this regime.

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  1. College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, U.S.A.

    L. Mahrt

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Mahrt, L. Stratified Atmospheric Boundary Layers. Boundary-Layer Meteorology 90, 375–396 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1001765727956

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