Measurements of Reynolds shear stress profiles and lateral heat flux profiles in the nearly self‐preserving region of the turbulent wake of a heated circular cylinder are compared with calculations obtained from the mean momentum and mean enthalpy equations. Two types of self‐preserving scales are used. The first uses the free‐stream velocityU1and the length scale [(x−x0)d]1/2, wherexis the distance from the cylinder,x0is the virtual origin, anddthe cylinder diameter. The second uses the centerline velocity defectU0and the velocity defect half‐widthL. Consistent results are obtained with both types of scales. In particular, the comparisons do not support the need for determining a new virtual origin, as suggested by Haririetal. [Phys. Fluids25, 1964 (1982)].