Wind and turbulence in the urban boundary layer analysis from acoustic remote sensing data and fit to analytical relations

Abstract

Mean seasonal profiles of wind speed, standard deviation of the vertical velocity and turbulence intensity from SODAR measurements in three cities of different size, Moscow, Hanover and Linz, are compared to analytical approximations for the Prandtl and Ekman layer. Typical urban features in the profiles and differences to measurements at rural sites are discussed. Typical urban features are a greater slope in the wind profiles, enhanced turbulence intensities, and a vertical increase in magnitude of the turbulence. The analytical approach proposed by ETLING (2002) for the description of the vertical wind profile in the whole boundary layer is amended in the Prandtl-layer part by a correction function for atmospheric stability. The amended profile description turns out to render the best results for the approximation of urban wind profiles within the lowest 500 m above ground.