Variationally adjusted surface winds

Abstract

This paper describes a one-level variational adjustment process for producing mass-consistent surface winds in the Barrow Strait area, N.W.T. To achieve this result, the continuity equation is employed as a physical constraint. The variational technique adjusts mean winds (vertically averaged through the planetary boundary layer); therefore, a relationship is required between surface and mean winds. Use is made of existing velocity profiles, but interpolation may be used between surface and geostrophic winds. The model was found to be strongly dependent upon specification of boundary-layer height. Channeling effects are not readily seen until topography begins to protrude through the boundary layer. The model might thus be better suited to areas where shallow inversion layers are well defined. By application of the variational adjustment, errors in continuity are reduced by six orders of magnitude. Upon comparison of the variational technique with a diagnostic, one-level, primitive equation model, median errors between computed and observed surface winds were found to be comparable.