Effects of Atmospheric Thermal Stability and Slope Steepness on the Development of Daytime Thermally Induced Upslope Flow

Z. J. Ye Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523

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M. Segal Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523

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R. A. Pielke Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523

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Abstract

The impact of background atmospheric thermal stability and slope steepness on the daytime thermally induced upslope flows was investigated using analytical and numerical model approaches. The study focuses on meso-β domains and considers the noon and early afternoon period in which, in general, steady-state flows typically occur during synoptically undisturbed days. The conclusions obtained with the analytical and numerical evaluations agreed. It was concluded that the maximum intensity of the upslope flow is generally not dependent on the background atmospheric stability. Its relation to the amount of thermal heating and slope steepness is evaluated. The steady-state characteristics of the daytime induced upslope flows were also evaluated.

Abstract

The impact of background atmospheric thermal stability and slope steepness on the daytime thermally induced upslope flows was investigated using analytical and numerical model approaches. The study focuses on meso-β domains and considers the noon and early afternoon period in which, in general, steady-state flows typically occur during synoptically undisturbed days. The conclusions obtained with the analytical and numerical evaluations agreed. It was concluded that the maximum intensity of the upslope flow is generally not dependent on the background atmospheric stability. Its relation to the amount of thermal heating and slope steepness is evaluated. The steady-state characteristics of the daytime induced upslope flows were also evaluated.

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