Characteristics of atmospheric surface layer during winter season over Anantapur (14.62° N, 77.65° E), a semi-arid location in peninsular India

• Published in: Journal of atmospheric and solar-terrestrial physics 2021-05, Vol.216, p.105554, Article 105554
• Main Authors: N., Siva Kumar Reddy, N.V.P., KiranKumar, K., Rama Gopal, G., Balakrishnaiah, K., Rajaobul Reddy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Normalized standard deviations; Semi-arid climate; Similarity theory; Surface layer; Turbulence
• ISSN: 1364-6826; 1879-1824
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jastp.2021.105554

The atmospheric surface layer turbulence statistics and surface fluxes during the winter season over Anantapur, a semi-arid region, are investigated using sonic anemometers mounted 10 m and 18 m above ground level on a 32-m meteorological tower. This paper aims to investigate the applicability of Monin–Obukhov similarity theory and to understand the influence of wind speed on the turbulence intensities. Results reveal that normalized velocity variances follow 1/3 power law in unstable and stable conditions, while approaching constant values in the near-neutral conditions. The qualitative dependency of normalized velocity variances on stability is in agreement with past studies. •Investigated the applicability of Monin–Obukhov Similarity Theory (MOST) over the semi-arid urban location.•Established the flux-variance fitting coefficients over this region.•Normalized velocity variances follow MOST both in unstable and stable regimes.•The qualitative dependency of normalized velocity variances on z/L, in agreement with past studies.•Results provide the first understanding of the turbulence parameters over this region.