THE POWER SPECTRUM IN THE ATMOSPHERE BELOW MACROSCALE.
Abstract
The classical analysis of power spectrum in the atmosphere by Van der Hoven has been reexamined with doubt cast on the representativeness of the spectral gap in the mesoscale. Theoretical considerations about the scale of eddies that contribute to variance in the horizontal wind tend toward a distribution of energy that decreases with frequency. In fact, the log-log distribution of variance per cycle as a function of frequency produces a slope approximating the expected -5/3 that coincides with the cascade of energy expected in the higher frequencies. Computations of the spectrum using new wind data with no long term gaps seem to confirm suspicions that Van der Hoven's spectral gap in the mesoscale may not be valid. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0669678
Entities
People
- Joseph L. Goldman
Organizations
- University of St. Thomas