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HATS (Horizontal Array Turbulence Study)

In the atmospheric surface layer, the wavelength of the peak in the vertical velocity spectrum l_w decreases with increasing stable stratification and proximity to the surface and this dependence constrains our ability to perform high-Reynolds number large-eddy simulation (LES). The present work examines the specific problem of subfilter-scale turbulence modeling in the surface layer of the atmospheric planetary boundary layer (PBL).

We use the three-dimensional turbulence data collected during the Horizontal Array Turbulence Study (HATS) field program (http://www.atd.ucar.edu/rtf/projects/hats/) to construct SFS fluxes and variances that are modeled in LES codes. A summary of the findings and interpretation of the results are documented in the following articles.

Related articles:

Sullivan, P.P, T.W. Horst, D.H. Lenschow, C-H. Moeng, & J.C. Weil, 2003: Structure of subfilter-scale fluxes in the atmospheric surface layer with application to large-eddy simulation modeling. J. Fluid Mech., 482, 101-139.

Horst, T.W., J. Kleissl, D.H. Lenschow, C. Meneveau, C-H. Moeng, M.B. Parlange, P.P. Sullivan, & J.C. Weil, 2003: HATS: Field observations to obtain spatially-filtered turbulence fields from crosswind arrays of sonic anemometers in the atmospheric surface layer. J. Atmos. Sci., in press.


OHATS (Ocean Horizontal Array Turbulence Study) (top)

array of sonic anemometers
air-sea interaction tower

Arrays of Sonic Anemometers

Air-Sea Interaction Tower

OHATS (http://www.whoi.edu/science/AOPE/dept/OHATS/intro.html) is part of a long term effort to examine air-sea interaction and in particular the coupling of surface layer turbulence in the marine (atmospheric) boundary layer with the underlying surface gravity wave field (water waves). Wind generated waves influence the dynamics of the marine surface layer and the air-sea fluxes of momentum and scalars. Our ability to accurately model the marine surface layer with large-eddy simulation (LES) is however unknown. LES predictions and in particular its subfilter-scale (SFS) parameterization require validation against and guidance from observations for this complex flow. The Ocean Horizontal Array Turbulence Study field campaign is specifically directed at the measurement of SFS variables in the marine surface layer.

diagram of OHATS research tower

OHATS will be carried out in the summer of 2004 at the recently constructed air-sea interaction tower (ASIT) located off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. (http://www.whoi.edu/science/AOPE/dept/CBLAST/ASIT.html). The ASIT and the Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory are operated by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. This research project is a collaborative effort between NCAR, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, and Pennsylvania State University