P2.2
The k^-3 and k^-5/3 Energy Spectrum of Atmospheric Turbulence
Ka-Kit Tung, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and W. T. Welch
We present an explanation of the observed turbulent energy spectrum of the atmosphere (Nastrom and Gage (1985)) encompassing several octaves of scales. Energy injection occurs over the long synoptic scales. From there energy is transferred through nonlinear wave-wave interactions upscale to the planetary waves and downscale through the mesoscale waves and eventually to dissipation. The observed spectral shape: k^-3 over the synoptic and subsynoptic scales and k^-5/3 over the mesoscales, where k is the horizontal wavenumber, reveals the nature of the turbulent cascades.
Poster Session 2, Scale Interactions & Turbulence/PV Dynamics(Icebreaker Reception/Cash Bar)
Monday, 4 June 2001, 5:00 PM-6:30 PM
Next paper