Resolution sensitivity and scaling of large-eddy simulations of the stable boundary layer

Large-eddy simulations (LES) of the continuously turbulent quasi-equilibrium stable boundary layer (SBL) are conducted with grid lengths in the range of 12.5 m to 2 m, in order to explore resolution sensitivity, and determine at what point grid convergence occurs. The structure of the mean potential...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Boundary-layer meteorology Vol. 112; no. 2; pp. 257 - 281
Main Authors:	BEARE, Robert J, MACVEAN, Malcolmk
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Dordrecht Springer 01-08-2004 Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:	Atmospheric models Boundary layers Convection, turbulence, diffusion. Boundary layer structure and dynamics Earth, ocean, space Exact sciences and technology External geophysics Meteorology Weather forecasting Weather forecast meteorology Large-eddy simulation Turbulent transfer covariance Parameterization troposphere Closure model Large eddy simulation Potential temperature Momentum transfer winds Stable boundary layer Atmospheric boundary layer First-order and second-order scalings diffusivity Numerical forecast Richardson number heat transfer stability Resolution
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Summary:	Large-eddy simulations (LES) of the continuously turbulent quasi-equilibrium stable boundary layer (SBL) are conducted with grid lengths in the range of 12.5 m to 2 m, in order to explore resolution sensitivity, and determine at what point grid convergence occurs. The structure of the mean potential temperature, winds, and turbulent fluxes varies significantly over this resolution range. The highest resolution simulations show a significant degree of convergence. The dimensionless momentum diffusivity asymptotes to a value of 0.06, corresponding to a limiting flux Richardson number of 0.15. Using the converged simulations, some scaling hypotheses underpinning first-order and second-order closure models are revisited. The effective Richardson number stability functions of the LES are compared with the forms often used in numerical weather prediction (NWP). The mixing implied by the LES is less than that used in NWP. The commonly used similarity profiles for heat and momentum fluxes, and the scalings for dissipation and pressure covariances are compared with the LES. This information could provide guidance for the next generation of SBL parametrization schemes.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 ObjectType-Article-2 ObjectType-Feature-1
ISSN:	0006-8314 1573-1472
DOI:	10.1023/b:boun.0000027910.57913.4d