Journal
ENVIRONMENTAL FLUID MECHANICS
Volume 18, Issue 3, Pages 683-693Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10652-017-9569-1
Keywords
Boundary layer; Atmospheric; Distributed temperature sensing; Unmanned aircraft system
Categories
Funding
- National Science Foundation [EAR 0930061]
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture [OREZ-FERM-852-E]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
We used an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to lift and suspend distributed temperature sensing (DTS) technologies to observe the onset of an early morning transition from stable to unstably stratified atmospheric conditions. DTS employs a fiber optic cable interrogated by laser light, and uses the temperature dependent Raman scattering phenomenon and the speed of light to obtain a discrete spatial measurement of the temperature along the cable. The UAS/DTS combination yielded observations of temperature in the lower atmosphere with high resolution (1 s and 0.1 m) and extent (85 m) that revealed the detailed processes that occurred over a single morning transition. The experimental site was selected on the basis of previous experiments and long term data records; which indicate that diurnal boundary layer development and wind sectors are predictable and consistent. The data showed a complex interplay of motions that occur during the morning transition that resulted in propagation and growth of unstable wave modes. We observed a rapid cooling of the air aloft (layer above the strong vertical temperature gradient) layer directly after sunrise due to vertical mixing followed by an erosion of the strong gradient at the stable layer top. Midway through the transition, unstable wave modes were observed that are consistent with Kelvin-Helmholtz motions. These motions became amplified through the later stages of the transition.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available