Evidence far ak−5/3Law Inertial Range in Mesoscale Two-Dimensional Turbulence

Abstract

The observational evidence for k^−5/3 law behavior in the atmospheric kinetic energy spectrum is reviewed. This evidence includes the results of atmospheric wind variability studies and the observed scale dependence of atmospheric dispersion. It is concluded that k^−5/3 law behavior for time and space scales greater than those that can be three-dimensionally isotropic is probably a manifestation of the two-dimensional reverse-cascading energy inertial range.