Multi-Fractal Analysis of Nocturnal Boundary Layer Time Series from the Boulder Atmospheric Observatory
Abstract
Lime series from a nocturnal boundary layer are analyzed using fractal techniques. The behavior of the self-affine fractal dimension, D and, is found to drop during a gravity wave train and rise with turbulence. D and, is proposed as a time series conditional sampling criterion for distinguishing waves from turbulence. Only weak correlations are found between D and, bulk turbulence measures such as Brunt-Vaisala frequency, Richardson number and buoyancy length. The advantages of analysis over turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), its component variances, FFT spectra, and self-similar fractals are also discussed in terms of local versus global basis functions dimensional suitability, noise, algorithm complexity, and other factors. D and was found to be the only measure capable of reliably distinguishing the wave from turbulence. Fractals, Gravity waves, Turbulence, Boundary layer meteorology, Time series.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA248347
Entities
People
- Alex J. Decaria
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School