Mean Characteristics of the Katabatic Flow of a 1024 m High Knife Edge Mountain

Summary

In this study an attempt is made to examine and analyse the mean characteristics of the katabatic flows at the western slope foot of a 1024 m high knife edge mountain using a meteorological tower and three surface meteorological stations. In addition, the frequency distribution of the occurrence of the katabatic flow over one year period is studied along the characteristics of the flow arriving in the neighbouring urban area at a distance of 1.5 km. It was found that the katabatic flow occurs mainly in autumn and spring with the highest frequency in April. The flow is generally characterised by small depth as it is affected substantially by the background flow. The expected direction of the katabatic wind dominates mainly at the level of 7 m, where the influence of the background flow is minimised. At the level of 18 m the wind direction shifts, due to the interaction of the katabatic wind with the background flow. The katabatic flow can penetrate at a distance of 1.5 km being substantially weakened.