A Comparison of the Terrain Height Variance Spectra of the Front Range with that of a Hypothetical Mountain

George S. Young Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523

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Roger A. Pielke Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523

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Robert C. Kessler Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523

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Abstract

The one-dimensional terrain height variance spectra of the Front Range west of Boulder, Colorado, is compared with that of the hypothetical two-dimensional mountain used by several investigators in their modeling studies of downslope winds. The terrain height variance of the hypothetical mountain exceeds that of the Front Range on scales longer than 25 km. On shorter scales, the terrain height variance of the hypothetical mountain decreases at an unrealistic rate.

The scales at which terrain features of the Front Range can be considered approximately two-dimensional are determined. On scales longer than 25 km, the Front Range is essentially two-dimensional. However, on shorter scales, the Front Range exhibits equal variance in the along-range and cross-range directions.

Abstract

The one-dimensional terrain height variance spectra of the Front Range west of Boulder, Colorado, is compared with that of the hypothetical two-dimensional mountain used by several investigators in their modeling studies of downslope winds. The terrain height variance of the hypothetical mountain exceeds that of the Front Range on scales longer than 25 km. On shorter scales, the terrain height variance of the hypothetical mountain decreases at an unrealistic rate.

The scales at which terrain features of the Front Range can be considered approximately two-dimensional are determined. On scales longer than 25 km, the Front Range is essentially two-dimensional. However, on shorter scales, the Front Range exhibits equal variance in the along-range and cross-range directions.

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