Gustiness and coherent structure under weak wind period in atmospheric boundary layer

Abstract

Statistical analysis of turbulent and gusty characteristics in the atmospheric boundary layer under weak wind period has been carried out. The data used in the analysis were from the multilevel ultrasonic anemometer-thermometers at 47m, 120m, and 280m levels on Beijing 325m meteorological tower. The time series of 3D atmospheric velocity were analyzed by using conventional Fourier spectral analysis and decompose into three parts: basic mean flow (period > 10 min), gusty disturbances (1 min < period < 10 min) and turbulence fluctuations (period < 1 min). The results show that under weak mean wind condition: 1) the gusty disturbances are the most strong fluctuations, contribute about 60% kinetic energy of eddy kinetic energy and 80% downward flux of momentum, although both the eddy kinetic energy and momentum transport are small in comparison with those in strong mean wind condition; 2) the gusty wind disturbances are anisotropic; 3) the gusty wind disturbances have obviously coherent structure, and their horizontal and vertical component are negatively correlated and make downward transport of momentum more effectively; 4) the friction velocities related to turbulence and gusty wind are approximately constant with height in the surface layer.