Mini-Sodar Observations of Drainage Flows in the Rocky Mountains |
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| Authors: | F A Woülfelmaier C W King E Mursch-Radlgruber G Rengarajan |
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| Institution: | (1) Department of Meteorology and Physics, University of Agricultural Sciences, Vienna, Austria, AT;(2) NOAA/ERL/ETL, Boulder, Colorado, U.S.A., US |
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| Abstract: | Summary Vertical profiles of drainage winds were monitored continuously by a Doppler-Mini-Sodar during case studies in two valleys,
on both sides of the U. S. Continental Divide. A tethered balloon provided additional information on the vertical temperature
and wind structure up to the Divide level. Ambient wind data were collected by a radar wind profiler on the west side, and
a tower on the crest of the Divide. The onset, evolution and breakup of the drainage flow were studied on two nights, when
the ridge-top winds were westerly and skies were clear. To study the influence of the ambient flow on drainage winds, changes
in drainage wind speed, direction and depth, along with the volume flux were examined. It was found that, on the leeward side,
the drainage was strongly influenced by the ambient winds (King, 1995b), which led to interruption and erosion of the locally
generated valley flow. The drainage on the windward side of the Divide was almost undisturbed. A comparison of balloon and
sodar wind profiles showed very good agreement during steady drainage conditions.
Received October 21, 1996 Revised November 30, 1998 |
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