Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

A Simple Model for the Anomalous Counterclockwise Turning of the Surface Wind with Time over the Great Plains of the United States

Richard Rotunno National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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Glen S. Romine National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

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Howard B. Bluestein School of Meteorology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

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Print Publication:
01 Sep 2018
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-18-0074.1
Page(s):
2971–2981
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Abstract

A recent study found that surface hodographs over the Great Plains of the United States turn in a counterclockwise direction with time. This observed turning is opposite of the clockwise turning observed (and expected, based on theory) at higher altitudes. Using a mesoscale forecast model, the same study shows that it has the same hodograph behavior as found in the observations. The study further shows that the reason for this anomalous counterclockwise turning is the decoupling of the surface layer from the boundary layer after sunset and its recoupling after sunrise. The present paper presents a simple model for this behavior by extending a recent analytical model for the diurnal oscillation to include the surface-layer effect. In addition, selected solution features are analyzed in terms of several of the nondimensional input parameters.

© 2018 American Meteorological Society. For information regarding reuse of this content and general copyright information, consult the AMS Copyright Policy (www.ametsoc.org/PUBSReuseLicenses).

Corresponding author: Richard Rotunno, rotunno@ucar.edu

Abstract

A recent study found that surface hodographs over the Great Plains of the United States turn in a counterclockwise direction with time. This observed turning is opposite of the clockwise turning observed (and expected, based on theory) at higher altitudes. Using a mesoscale forecast model, the same study shows that it has the same hodograph behavior as found in the observations. The study further shows that the reason for this anomalous counterclockwise turning is the decoupling of the surface layer from the boundary layer after sunset and its recoupling after sunrise. The present paper presents a simple model for this behavior by extending a recent analytical model for the diurnal oscillation to include the surface-layer effect. In addition, selected solution features are analyzed in terms of several of the nondimensional input parameters.

© 2018 American Meteorological Society. For information regarding reuse of this content and general copyright information, consult the AMS Copyright Policy (www.ametsoc.org/PUBSReuseLicenses).

Corresponding author: Richard Rotunno, rotunno@ucar.edu
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