Long-Term Mean Wind Profiles Based on Similarity Theory

• DOI: 10.1007/s10546-010-9509-9
• Publication Date: 2010-06-09T06:12:02Z
• Authors: Mark Kelly; Sven-Erik Gryning
• Keywords: Similarity (geometry); Atmospheric instability; Log wind profile

We provide general forms for long-term mean wind profiles from similarity-based wind profiles, beginning with a probabilistic adaptation of Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. We develop an analytical formulation for the stability distributions prevailing in the atmospheric surface layer, which in turn facilitates the derivation of a long-term mean wind profile based on Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. The modelled stability distributions exhibit good agreement with measurements from sites having different local conditions. The long-term wind profile formulation is further extended to include the influence of the depth of the atmospheric boundary layer (h), which becomes relevant for heights above h/3, and the resultant long-term ‘tall’ profile form also matches observations.