Article Type:
Research Article

On the Computation of Gradients from Observations over Complex Terrain

Fred J. Kopp South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota

Search for other papers by Fred J. Kopp in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Paul L. Smith South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota

Search for other papers by Paul L. Smith in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Harold D. Orville South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota

Search for other papers by Harold D. Orville in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Oct 2001
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(2001)040<1775:OTCOGF>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
1775–1782
Restricted access

Abstract

A mathematical scheme is developed to compute the gradients of observations taken over complex terrain. The method is applied to an artificial example to demonstrate the scheme. An application is made to surface pressure observations between Little Rock, Arkansas, and Amarillo, Texas. Divergence computations are made with the scheme using observed wind data over the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Corresponding author address: F. J. Kopp, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E. Saint Joseph St., Rapid City, SD 57701-3995. fkopp@msmailgw.sdsmt.edu

Abstract

A mathematical scheme is developed to compute the gradients of observations taken over complex terrain. The method is applied to an artificial example to demonstrate the scheme. An application is made to surface pressure observations between Little Rock, Arkansas, and Amarillo, Texas. Divergence computations are made with the scheme using observed wind data over the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Corresponding author address: F. J. Kopp, Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E. Saint Joseph St., Rapid City, SD 57701-3995. fkopp@msmailgw.sdsmt.edu

Save
Cover Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology

  • Bluestein, H. B. and T. M. Crawford. 1997. Mesoscale dynamics of the near-dryline environment: Analysis of data from COPS-91. Mon. Wea. Rev 125:2161–2175.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schaefer, J. T. 1973. On the computation of the surface divergence field. J. Appl. Meteor 12:546–547.

  • Taylor, A. E. 1955. Advanced Calculus. Blaisdell Publishing, 786 pp.

  • Wigley, T. M. L. 1964. Approximations in the use of pressure coordinates. Tellus 16:26–31.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 587 296 18
PDF Downloads 80 13 1