Progresses in Understanding Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory, Turbulence Parameterization, and Turbulence Energetics

The role of large coherent eddies in the boundary-layer turbulent mixing and their impacts on the validity of Monin-Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) have been actively investigated in the community. Understanding physical processes behind the MOST bulk formula for momentum leads to explanation of the performance of the MOST bulk formula as a function of height. Based on total energy conservation, contribution of potential energy changes through vertical density fluxes in the stratified atmosphere to kinetic and thermal energy changes sheds light on various issues such as the surface energy imbalance, super adiabatic lapse rates, dissimilarity between water vapor and temperature, etc. I am going to share some of my personal views on these subjects and describe challenging issues in boundary-layer observations and numerical modeling.