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Orographic and stability effects on day-time, valley-side slope flows

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Abstract

The effects of orography and initial stability upon the magnitude and configuration of daytime, valley-side slope flows were investigated. A three-dimensional, time-dependent, non-hydrostatic numerical model provided simulations over a range of idealised valley forms for a range of vertical stabilities. The model's short-wave radiation scheme was improved and the runs were for a virtually dry atmosphere. Airflow over the valley is influenced by two distinct stability regimes, separated by a sharp threshold value of 0.37°C km−1. At lower stabilities, flow is strong and predominantly downward. Above the threshold, uplift occurs for all stabilities, decreasing in magnitude with increasing stability. Cross-valley flow increases in the stability range 0.06°C–0.6°C/100 m and decreases at higher stabilities. For a given stability above the threshold value, vertical velocities are directly related to slope angle. Horizontal velocities increase with slope at low angles but there is a suggestion that they decrease with increasing slope angle at high angles. The effect of valley half-width is much smaller than that of slope; greater valley width leads to a weaker cross-valley circulation. Conditions for the development of valley-slope flow configuration in harmony with the underlying orography are derived. A quantitative relationship between the magnitude of the average flow and the average slope and the initial stability is presented.

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  1. Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, EI 4NS, UK

    B. W. Atkinson & A. N. Shahub

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  1. B. W. Atkinson
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Atkinson, B.W., Shahub, A.N. Orographic and stability effects on day-time, valley-side slope flows. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 68, 275–300 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00705601

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