On the radar estimation of turbulence parameters in a stably stratified atmosphere

Abstract

Abstract. Four estimators of the rate of dissipation of turbulent energy based on the velocity structure function, rms turbulent velocities, Brunt-Vaisala frequencies, and ground diffraction pattern fading rates are discussed and compared using Arecibo Initiative on the Dynamics of the Atmosphere MF radar data in both the imaging Doppler interferometry (IDI) and spaced antenna modes. A consistent set of empirical equations is developed which define and describe the relationships between the turbulent velocity, the Brunt-Vaisala frequency, the buoyancy length scale, the rate of dissipation of turbulent energy, the eddy diffusivity, and the time constant of the gravity wave generated, intermittent, decaying, coherent structures responsible for the scatterers detected by the IDI technique. It should be noted that the constants of proportionality are significantly different from the currently accepted values.

A review of Mesosphere–Stratosphere–Troposphere (MST) radar developments and studies, circa 1997–2008

“…Interestingly, this agrees modestly well with the result produced by dimensional analysis by Roper (2000), who gave e ¼ 0:16v 2 o B , but we consider the value 0.27 as most appropriate in general for narrow-beam radar work. It should be remembered as well that this equation is actually derived from an equation of the form e ¼ c 3 v 2 =L B , where L B is the buoyancy scale (i.e.…”

Mesospheric and lower thermospheric turbulence over Bear Lake, Utah, 1999–2003

“…The rate of dissipation of turbulent energy is given by (Roper, 2000) e ¼ 0:16 s 2 o where o is the Brunt Vaisala frequency.…”

Turbulent diffusivity in the free atmosphere inferred from MST radar measurements: a review

“…within the turbulent patches), either (Massie and Hunten, 1981) 0.02−0.8 0.3−3 (Alisse and Sidi, 2000a) (Nastrom and Eaton, 1997) 2-111 [mean 42] 0.3−3 ) (Kennedy and Shapiro, 1980) 0.2−2 (Kurosaki et al, 1996) Lower Stratosphere 0.2−0.6 0.46−1.2 [eff. 0.01−0.06] 0.1−0.5 (Fukao et al, 1994) (Massie and Hunten, 1981) (Lilly et al, 1974) ∼ 0.01−0.02 (Waugh, 1997) 0.1−0.35 0.5−1 (Balluch and Haynes, 1997) (Alisse and Sidi, 2000a) (Nastrom and Eaton, 1997) ∼0.1 (Legras et al, 2003) 0.01−0.1 (Bertin et al, 1997) 0.05−0.3 0.2−0.3 (Woodman and Rastogi, 1984) Mesosphere 20−200 3.5−70 (Lubken, 1992) 1−30 (Fukao et al, 1994) (Ogawa and Shimazaki, 1975) (Lubken et al, 1993) (Kurosaki et al, 1996) 3−10 100−200 (Hocking, 1988) 20−150 (Roper, 2000) from in-situ measurements (e.g. Lilly et al, 1974;Barat and Bertin, 1984;Lubken, 1992;Alisse and Sidi, 2000a), or from radar measurements (e.g.…”

“…Lilly et al, 1974;Barat and Bertin, 1984;Lubken, 1992;Alisse and Sidi, 2000a), or from radar measurements (e.g. Hocking, 1988;Fukao et al, 1994;Roper, 2000;Rao et al, 2001). Other estimates are inferred from an evaluation of the heat (or tracer) flux across a given height level, by using both local evaluations of turbulence strength and fractional time of turbulent events.…”