Expressions of Sensible Heat Flux Based on a Dimensional Analysis

Abstract

Based on a dimensional analysis, relationships between the temperature structure coefficient C2T, the variance of vertical wind speed σ2w or the velocity structure coefficient C2V, and the sensible heat flux in the boundary layer have been developed. Only the turbulent statistical parameters and the characteristic heights are included in the resulting equations. These equations show a possible dynamic balance relationship between the sensible heat flux, C2T and C2V or σ2w, and reveal the potential for measuring sensible heat flux with sodar. The primary verification of the equations is carried out using the data measured with tower instruments at a fixed level and the data from a Minnesota experiment. The comparisons show good agreement between calculations and direct measurements in the surface layer.