Forecasting near-surface winds in northern Helmand, Afghanistan

Camp Bastion is a military base just to the south of the large area of high terrain, extending from the Hindu Kush area of the Himalayan massif, which covers roughly the northern two-thirds of Afghanistan. Forecast winds for aviation operations at the site are influenced by the proximity of this terrain. Observations and high resolution modelling of case studies have been used to better understand the factors controlling strong winds in different synoptic situations and improve upon the guidance from the mesoscale forecast model currently used for the region.