Complex forcing, which occurs frequently in the coastal zone, can significantly impact the structure and evolution of mesoscale processes such as fronts and pre-frontal low-level jets. The steep coastal orography of Norway, for example, strongly modulates mesoscale weather events. In the present study, we use the U. S. Navy�s nonhydrostatic mesoscale model (COAMPS) to investigate the landfalling phase of the FASTEX IOP-16 storm of 16-18 February 1997. As the warm front approaches the Norwegian coast, a strong low-level jet develops along the coast with wind speeds in the core of ~48 m/s. The jet extends along the coast and then continues in a coast-parallel orientation well into the North Sea north of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Near-surface wind speeds below the jet core of 30 m/s are in reasonable agreement with surface observations of 20-30 m/s valid at 0300 UTC 18 February.

Trajectory analysis indicates two distinct sources for ageostrophic acceleration into the core of the jet. South of ~62o N, flow is trapped between the approaching front and the steep coastal topography. To the north of a bend in the coast at 62o N, flow passes over the topography and accelerates down the lee side. The strongest wind speeds (~50m/s) are found along this section of the coast. A region of reduced wind speed appears in the lee of the highest orography in central Norway.