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Probability density functions of turbulent velocity and temperature in the atmospheric surface layer

Publication ,  Journal Article
Chu, CR; Parlange, MB; Katul, GG; Albertson, JD
Published in: Water Resources Research
June 1, 1996

The probability density functions (pdf's) for the longitudinal and vertical velocities, temperature, their derivatives, and momentum and sensible heat fluxes were measured in the atmospheric surface layer for a wide range of atmospheric stability conditions. The measured pdf's for both the velocity and the temperature fluctuations are near-Gaussian and consistent with corresponding laboratory measurements for near- neutral and stable stability conditions. Hence the first- and second-order moments are sufficient to predict the heat and momentum flux pdf's. The lower- order moments can be estimated from mean meteorological conditions using surface layer similarity theory. For unstable conditions the pdf for temperature is non-Gaussian and is strongly skewed due to local convective thermal plumes. For near-neutral and stable conditions the pdf's for the velocity and temperature longitudinal gradients have long exponential tails, in agreement with findings in laboratory experiments and numerical simulations.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Water Resources Research

DOI

ISSN

0043-1397

Publication Date

June 1, 1996

Volume

32

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1681 / 1688

Related Subject Headings

  • Environmental Engineering
  • 4011 Environmental engineering
  • 4005 Civil engineering
  • 3707 Hydrology
  • 0907 Environmental Engineering
  • 0905 Civil Engineering
  • 0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
 

Citation

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Chu, C. R., Parlange, M. B., Katul, G. G., & Albertson, J. D. (1996). Probability density functions of turbulent velocity and temperature in the atmospheric surface layer. Water Resources Research, 32(6), 1681–1688. https://doi.org/10.1029/96WR00287
Chu, C. R., M. B. Parlange, G. G. Katul, and J. D. Albertson. “Probability density functions of turbulent velocity and temperature in the atmospheric surface layer.” Water Resources Research 32, no. 6 (June 1, 1996): 1681–88. https://doi.org/10.1029/96WR00287.
Chu CR, Parlange MB, Katul GG, Albertson JD. Probability density functions of turbulent velocity and temperature in the atmospheric surface layer. Water Resources Research. 1996 Jun 1;32(6):1681–8.
Chu, C. R., et al. “Probability density functions of turbulent velocity and temperature in the atmospheric surface layer.” Water Resources Research, vol. 32, no. 6, June 1996, pp. 1681–88. Scopus, doi:10.1029/96WR00287.
Chu CR, Parlange MB, Katul GG, Albertson JD. Probability density functions of turbulent velocity and temperature in the atmospheric surface layer. Water Resources Research. 1996 Jun 1;32(6):1681–1688.
Journal cover image

Published In

Water Resources Research

DOI

ISSN

0043-1397

Publication Date

June 1, 1996

Volume

32

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1681 / 1688

Related Subject Headings

  • Environmental Engineering
  • 4011 Environmental engineering
  • 4005 Civil engineering
  • 3707 Hydrology
  • 0907 Environmental Engineering
  • 0905 Civil Engineering
  • 0406 Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience