On the Size of Dominant Momentum Transporting Eddies in Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layers

Abstract The size of dominant momentum transporting eddies in stable atmospheric boundary layers is poorly understood. This study demonstrates that the distance to the ground z is relevant in constraining in weakly stable conditions (, where is the stability parameter) and less relevant in moderately stable conditions (). The widely used Ozmidov scale, however, fails to represent in moderately stable conditions. The low‐wavenumber ends of the −5/3 scaling law regions in the spanwise and vertical velocity spectra correlate better with a shear‐related length scale. Based on the characteristics of velocity spectra and the balance between kinetic energy and potential energy, a new length scale is proposed to indicate for moderately stable conditions. Observational data show that this new length scale effectively characterizes in moderately stable conditions. These findings can help develop better turbulence parameterization schemes for stable atmospheric boundary layers.