power-law profile

A formula for the variation of wind with height in the surface boundary layer. It is an alternative to the logarithmic velocity profile, and the assumptions are the same, with the exception of the form of the dependence of mixing length l on height z. Here

ams2001glos-Pe44

Then

ams2001glos-Pe45

where ams2001glos-Pex07 is the mean velocity, u* the friction velocity, ν the kinematic viscosity, and

ams2001glos-Pe46

For moderate Reynolds numbers, p = 6/7 (the seventh-root profile) is empirically verified, but for large Reynolds numbers p is between this value and unity. It is to be noted that if ams2001glos-Pex08 is proportional to zm, and if the stress is assumed independent of height, then the eddy viscosity νe is proportional to z1-m. These relations are known as Schmidt’s conjugate-power laws.
Sutton, O. G. 1953. Micrometeorology. 78–85.