Turbulent flux estimates from shipboard mean wind and temperature profiles and dissipation rates

Abstract

Height profiles of mean wind speed and wind velocity fluctuation spectra are derived from observations made aboard the R/V Acania while anchored in Monterey Bay. The profiles and spectra in conjunction with related temperature fluctuation data obtained in a parallel study are used to calculate the atmospheric boundary layer turbulence parameters: friction velocity, drag coefficient, vertical heat flux and z/L. A general disagreement of the results of this study with each other and with previously published results is inconclusive due to small size of the data base. The best agreement with results of other studies was with the calculation of the drag coefficient using velocity fluctuation data.