Richard J.A.M. Stevens

Professor at the University of Twente

Wind energy · Turbulence · Environmental flows

Publication 88 · Atmospheric turbulence

Universal Wind Profile for Conventionally Neutral Atmospheric Boundary Layers

L. Liu, S.N. Gadde, R.J.A.M. Stevens, Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 104502 (2021).

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Main finding

A capping-inversion heat-flux correction captures the full wind profile, including a low-level-jet overshoot, in the calibration LES of conventionally neutral boundary layers. This physically motivated model is not parameter-free or independently validated beyond that simulation family.

Mean wind speed profiles with the logarithmic law and a new model against simulation data
How to read the figure. Vertical profiles of mean wind speed for two conventionally neutral boundary layer cases: filled symbols are the simulation, the dashed line the logarithmic law, the solid line the paper's profile. The logarithmic law departs from the data well below the boundary layer top while the new profile follows it through the full depth - a nominally neutral surface layer is already feeling the inversion above it. The profile is calibrated on this family of cases, so the figure is not independent evidence that it is universal. Open the full-resolution figure. Figure 4. L. Liu et al. (2021). No separate licence is stated here; consult the original publication and credited source before reuse.

Why this matters

A nominally neutral surface layer can still feel the stable inversion above it, altering the full wind profile.

Research context

The profile uses the revised conventionally neutral geostrophic drag law to connect friction velocity, boundary-layer depth, and free-atmosphere stability. The later vertical-structure study (read the finding) resolves the component profiles but reuses all six LES cases, so it extends rather than independently validates this fit.

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