Turbulence Dynamics in Stably Stratified Atmospheric Boundary Layers
Summary
The stable atmospheric boundary layer (SBL) forms when surface cooling generates a vertical gradient of potential temperature that suppresses vertical mixing. Under these conditions, turbulent motions are damped by buoyancy forces and may become intermittent, giving rise to alternating quiescent and bursting periods. The intensity and structure of turbulence in the SBL depend on the balance between shear production and buoyant suppression, often characterised by the Richardson number, which determines the onset of localised mixing. Monin–Obukhov similarity theory provides a framework for scaling surface fluxes and profiles, yet its applicability diminishes as anisotropy grows under strong stratification and complex terrain. Observations reveal that sub-mesoscale motions and gravity waves can trigger intermittent bursts of turbulence, complicating parameterisations in weather and climate models. Computational studies indicate that large-scale coherent structures contribute to sudden turbulence collapse or revival, influencing transport of heat, momentum and tracer quantities. Improved understanding of anisotropy, turbulent intermittency and non-stationary generation mechanisms is vital for accurate forecasts of nocturnal cooling, pollutant dispersion and cloud formation across polar, urban and agricultural environments.
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Turbulence Dynamics in Stably Stratified Atmospheric Boundary Layers publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in turbulence dynamics in stably stratified atmospheric boundary layers across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Stably stratified boundary layer: A near-surface atmospheric layer in which temperature increases with height, inhibiting vertical mixing.
Richardson number: A dimensionless parameter expressing the ratio of buoyant suppression to shear production of turbulence.
Monin–Obukhov similarity theory: A surface-layer scaling framework relating turbulent fluxes and mean gradients via stability functions.
Turbulence intermittency: Alternating periods of suppressed and active turbulent mixing under stable stratification.
Anisotropy: Unequal intensity of turbulent fluctuations in different directions, often increasing under strong stability.
References
- Research progress and current application of weak turbulence and turbulence intermittency in stable boundary layers. Earth-Science Reviews (2025).
- Variations in boundary layer stability across Antarctica: a comparison between coastal and interior sites. Weather and Climate Dynamics (2023).
- Dependence of near‐surface similarity scaling on the anisotropy of atmospheric turbulence. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society (2018).
- Global Intermittency and Collapsing Turbulence in the Stratified Planetary Boundary Layer. Boundary-Layer Meteorology (2014).
- Long-lived high-frequency gravity waves in the atmospheric boundary layer: observations and simulations. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (2019).
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