VISCOUS DISSIPATION IN THE ATMOSPHERE

Abstract

Estimates of atmospheric viscous dissipation at various heights from near the ground to within the stratosphere have been published. All of these results, that are known to the author, are presented on a single diagram together with some new estimates made from the wind records of ordinary Sheppard-type cup anemometers mounted on a radio mast. These latter results confirm that the viscous dissipation is proportional to the cube of the wind speed at a given site and height (for heights below about 100 m). The big discrepancy between estimates based on the similarity theory of diffusion and other estimates is discussed.