Analysis of turbulent kinetic energy decay power law in atmospheric boundary layer models

Abstract

The transitional periods that take place in the atmospheric boundary layer are challenging to model due to their non-stationary nature. Large-eddy simulation (LES) models have proven to be sufficiently accurate for modeling the evening transitions, and now a possibility to adapt turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) closure models for calculations in single-column models appears to be very plausible. In this study, evening transition modeling is analysed with emphasis on the pattern of a TKE decay which follows the power law. E(t) α t −αThe effects of different parameters on the results of the simulations are explored, along with the geostrophic wind effect on the model. It is shown that the model presented here behaves in a manner similar to that of a LES model, thus showing that the above adaptation is possible and worth being investigated further.