Stable Boundary Layers with Subsidence: Scaling and Similarity of the Truly Steady State

Abstract

The stable boundary layer (SBL) subjected to large-scale subsidence is studied through large-eddy simulations (LESs) with fixed surface temperature and a linear subsidence velocity profile. These boundary layers reach a truly steady state, where thermal equilibrium is established by a balance between surface cooling and subsidence-induced heating. We identify three governing dimensionless groups by scaling the governing equations with the geostrophic wind and Coriolis frequency, and systematically investigate the impact of these external parameters on global flow properties and mean profiles in the steady state. The SBL depth, low-level jet, and the magnitude of the turbulent momentum flux are reduced when the subsidence rate or Buoyancy number increases, while surface heat flux is enhanced. The shape of normalized mean profiles of temperature and heat flux is mainly determined by the subsidence rate, while they collapse for varying buoyancy and surface Rossby numbers. We develop empirical correlations for the stability parameter $h_θ/L_O$ and a thermal shape factor, and propose a new unidirectional geostrophic drag law, to form a closed set of equations that estimates relevant flow properties from external parameters. The estimation errors compared to the LES data are less than 5% for friction velocity and surface heat flux, and at most 10% for the SBL depth $h_θ$. Within the surface layer, dimensionless velocity and temperature gradients in the steady SBL with subsidence show acceptable agreement to Monin-Obukhov similarity theory, while the collapse is improved when a recently proposed mixed scaling parameter, that includes $h_θ/L_O$, is used.