Numerical Studies of Thermally Induced Slope Winds

A one-dimensional high-resolution atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) model for studying slope flows has been developed and several turbulence closure schemes were evaluated for modelling thermally induced nocturnal slope flows (Sun et al. 2006). Based on their good performance, more modelling studies are carried out by using the model with E-l and q²l Model I turbulence closure schemes. Model simulations for katabatic winds are compared with observations from the Vatnajökull glacier (Oerlemans et al, 1999). Anabatic and katabatic flows have been considered together with diurnal cycles. Situations with or without ambient winds, the impacts of slope angle, surface roughness, et al. on the slope winds are also investigated. Model results will be discussed, especially the effects of these physical parameters.

References

Oerlemans J., Björnsson H., Kuhn M., Obleitner F., Palsson F., Smeets C. J. P. P., Vugts H. F., de Wolde J., 1999: Glacio-meteorological investigations on Vatnajökull, Iceland, summer 1996: An overview. Boundary-Layer Meteorol. 92: 3-24.

Sun Xiurong, Weng Wensong, and Peter A.Taylor:2006, An evaluation of several turbulence closure schemes for modelling thermally induced slope flows, 17th Symp on Boundary Layers and Turbulence.