Another look at sonic thermometry

In this note we reassess the role of sonic thermometry in boundary-layer studies. The sonic temperature signal, when corrected for crosswind velocity contamination, very closely approximates the virtual temperature of air. This variable is needed for many boundary-layer calculations. We describe pre...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Boundary-layer meteorology 1991-09, Vol.56 (4), p.401-410
Main Authors: KAIMAL, J. C, GAYNOR, J. E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Convection, turbulence, diffusion. Boundary layer structure and dynamics
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Meteorology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In this note we reassess the role of sonic thermometry in boundary-layer studies. The sonic temperature signal, when corrected for crosswind velocity contamination, very closely approximates the virtual temperature of air. This variable is needed for many boundary-layer calculations. We describe preliminary tests with a new sonic anemometer-thermometer that performs the velocity correction in real time. Our test results offer new insights into the nature of the velocity error on temperature standard deviations and fluxes. They also draw attention to the high noise threshold that appears as an f super(+) super(1) rise in the f S(f ) spectrum when spectral levels drop below 10 super(-) super(4) degrees C super(2) .
ISSN:0006-8314
1573-1472
DOI:10.1007/BF00119215