Recorded presentationJ21.3
Observational Analysis and simulation of the Delaware Sea/Bay Breeze
Dana E. Veron, University of Delaware, Newark, DE; and N. P. Barton, A. Satinsky, and E. Geiger
The surface winds over the Delaware Bay have recently been the subject of several investigations. A climatology of surface wind speed, wind direction, and analysis of the sea breeze has been performed using observation from around and over the Delaware Bay. Several months throughout 2007-2009 of surface winds are also simulated using the Weather, Research, and Forecasting (WRF) model. WRF is forced with the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Eta/NAM data. Output from WRF includes hourly meteorological measurements at a 1 km2 spatial resolution. Ten meter wind speeds and direction are compared to observations, as well as the timing, duration, and magnitude of the sea breeze circulation and location of the sea breeze front. A frequency analysis is performed on the WRF wind data to determine the time of day Delaware Bay winds are dominated by the land/sea breeze. Preliminary analysis indicates that the Delaware Bay Breeze impacts surface winds extended well into the Philadelphia metro region. Sensitivity studies are performed to assess the sensitivity of the Delaware Bay/Sea Breeze to changes in the land surface as coastal urbanization increases.
Joint Session 21, Weather and Climate in Coastal Urban Areas—I
Thursday, 15 January 2009, 8:30 AM-9:45 AM, Room 126A
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