scholarly journals The Quinault Blowdown: A Microscale Wind Event Driven by a Mountain-Wave Rotor

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 977-986
Author(s):  
Clifford F. Mass ◽  
Robert Conrick ◽  
Nicholas Weber ◽  
Joseph P. Zagrodnik

AbstractOn 27 January 2018, a highly localized, strong wind event occurred along the north shore of Lake Quinault, Washington. The resulting loss of large old-growth trees in a roughly 0.5-km2 region led to blocked roads and power outages. Nearby surface stations did not record anomalous winds, and no tree damage was reported in the surrounding region. Based on public accounts and a nearby seismometer, it appears that the strong winds lasted less than 10 min. Surface and aerial damage surveys showed that the trees fell from a different direction (northerly) than the synoptic or mesoscale f low (southwesterly to southeasterly). Based on high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model simulations, it appears that the damaging northerly winds were the result of a strong atmospheric rotor produced by a high-amplitude mountain wave. A simulation with 148-m grid spacing produced a rotor at the same time and location as the treefalls. Synoptic analysis and the high-resolution simulation showed that moderately strong southeasterly flow and a stable layer associated with the approaching occluded front interacted with a ∼750-m-high upstream mountain ridge to produce the mountain wave and associated rotor circulation. The combination of an inversion and strong shear at and above the upstream ridge were outliers in a climatology of soundings from the nearby Quillayute rawinsonde site, suggesting that such intense mountain-wave rotors are unusual in this valley.

Fluids ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Larry J. Pratt ◽  
E. Jason Albright ◽  
Irina Rypina ◽  
Houshuo Jiang

The Lagrangian and Eulerian structure and dynamics of a strong wind event in the Tokar Gap region are described using a Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model hindcast for 2008. Winds in the Tokar Gap reach 25 m s−1 and remain coherent as a jet far out over the Red Sea, whereas equally strong wind jets occurring in neighboring gaps are attenuated abruptly by jump-like hydraulic transitions that occur just offshore of the Sudan coast. The transition is made possible by the supercritical nature of the jets, which are fed by air that spills down from passes at relatively high elevation. By contrast, the spilling flow in the ravine-like Tokar Gap does not become substantially supercritical and therefore does not undergo a jump, and also carries more total horizontal momentum. The Tokar Wind Jet carries some air parcels across the Red Sea and into Saudi Arabia, whereas air parcel trajectories in the neighboring jets ascend as they cross through the jumps, then veer sharply to the southeast and do not cross the Red Sea. The mountain parameter Nh/U is estimated to lie in the range of 1.0–4.0 for the general region, a result roughly consistent with a gap jet having a long extension, and supercritical flows spilling down from higher elevation passes. The strong event is marked by the formation of a feature with a vertical cellular structure in the upstream entrance region of the Tokar Gap, a feature absent from the more moderate events that occur throughout the summer. The cell contains descending air parcels that are fed into the Tokar Gap and one of the neighboring gaps. An analysis of the Bernoulli function along air parcel trajectories reveals an approximate balance between the loss of potential energy and gain of internal energy and pressure, with surprisingly little contribution from kinetic energy, along the path of the descending flow. The winds in all gaps attain the critical wind speed nominally required to loft dust into the atmosphere, though only the Tokar Gap has a broad, silty delta region capable of supplying particulate matter for dust storms.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 1485-1502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Øyvind Lundesgaard ◽  
Brian Powell ◽  
Mark Merrifield ◽  
Lisa Hahn-Woernle ◽  
Peter Winsor

AbstractFjords along the western Antarctic Peninsula are episodically exposed to strong winds flowing down marine-terminating glaciers and out over the ocean. These wind events could potentially be an important mechanism for the ventilation of fjord waters. A strong wind event was observed in Andvord Bay in December 2015, and was associated with significant increases in upper-ocean salinity. We examine the dynamical impacts of such wind events during the ice-free summer season using a numerical model. Passive tracers are used to identify water mass pathways and quantify exchange with the outer ocean. Upwelling and outflow in the model fjord generate an average salinity increase of 0.3 in the upper ocean during the event, similar to observations from Andvord Bay. Down-fjord wind events are a highly efficient mechanism for flushing out the upper fjord waters, but have little net impact on deep waters in the inner fjord. As such, summer episodic wind events likely have a large effect on fjord phytoplankton dynamics and export of glacially modified upper waters, but are an unlikely mechanism for the replenishment of deep basin waters and oceanic heat transport toward inner-fjord glaciers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae-Hee Hahm ◽  
Ha-Yoon Jeong ◽  
Kyung-Hwan Kwak

Long-term automated synoptic observing system (ASOS) data collected from 101 stations over a period of 50 years (1967–2016) were analyzed to investigate the distribution of strong winds on the Korean peninsula by utilizing a statistical method. The Gumbel distribution was used to estimate the wind speed for recurrence periods of 1, 10, 50, 75, and 100 years. For all recurrence periods, the coastal regions experienced higher wind speeds, which exceeded the strong wind advisory level, than the inland and metropolitan regions. The strong winds were predominantly induced by summertime typhoons, especially in the south and west coastal regions. In addition, nontyphoon factors, such as a topographical factor with atmospheric instability in a mountainous coastal region, can cause localized severe weather in the form of strong wind. By performing the weather research and forecasting (WRF) model simulation, an abrupt increase in wind speed up to 20 m·s−1 was reproduced under the condition of onshore prevailing winds heading toward a mountain ridge in a coastal region. Estimation of strong wind spatial distribution can help the region-to-region establishment of an action plan to prepare for damage caused by strong winds.


Author(s):  
Н.P. Ivus ◽  
E.V. Agayar ◽  
L.M. Hurska ◽  
А.В. Semergei-Chumachenko

Introduction. Nowadays the problem of storm winds appears to be a very relevant one in those spheres of human activities related to safety of human living, coastal infrastructure, seafaring, aviation etc. One of the conditions for successful forecasting of strong winds is familiarization with wind characteristics of the study area and with synoptic conditions causing them. The below listed results of research form continuation of previous works for search of a better synoptic classification reflecting completeness of macroscale baric processes causing formation of winds, including strong winds, over the South of Ukraine and also providing an opportunity to forecast winds in a more accurate manner. The purpose of this publication consists in analysis of interaction of large-scale atmospheric circulation with formation of unfavorable weather conditions (strong and very strong winds) on the north-west coast of the Black Sea. Methods and results. The impact of storm winds is significant for functioning of the national economic complex of the North-Western Black Sea region. In order to investigate this effect there were fifty seven cases of wind amplification up to criterion of strong ≥ 15 m·s-1 and very strong ≥ 25 m·s-1 selected within the Odessa region during the period from October to March in 2011 – 2014. Indexes of Katz circulation for isobaric surface of 500 hPa were calculated as per the data of synoptic archive for the cases with wind speed of ≥ 15 m·s-1. A more detailed study of the structure of macrocirculation processes under strong winds, except for Katz indexes, is provided by means of classification and calendar of successive change of elementary circulation mechanisms (ECM) in the Northern hemisphere according to Dzerdzeyevskyi B.L. and typification of synoptic processes developed at the Department of Theoretical Meteorology and Meteorological Forecasts of OSENU. It was determined that strong and very strong winds often occur in southern and central regions, particularly at the stations located on the shores of seas and estuaries (Bilgorod-Dnistrovskyi, Ust-Dunaysk, Pivdennyi port). Meridional type of atmospheric circulation (77.2%) creates favourable conditions for wind amplification in the North-Western part of the Black Sea up to the criterion of strong and very strong one, zonal type of circulation constitutes 22.8% from the total number of cases. Meridional type of circulation is mainly represented by mixed and western forms – (24.6%) and (22.8%) respectively. Main types of synoptic situations (5, 6) of Katz typification that used to cause strong winds were revealed. Most frequently strong wind was observed while moving of cyclonic vortexes from the South (ECM type – 12a, 13z) and in the area of cyclones and anticyclones interaction. Conclusion. It was found that wind speed amplification in the South of Ukraine up to the criteria of strong and very strong one mainly occurs due to the meridional type of atmospheric circulation which is dominated by mixed or western forms of circulation as per Katz typification, ECM type 12a and 13z according to Dzerdzeyevskyi B.L. and types 5 (subtype 5.2) and 6 (all subtypes depending on ECM) as per synoptic typification of OSENU. Directions for further research should include the following. The conclusions have preliminary character and need confirmation on the basis of bigger scope of statistical data.


2014 ◽  
Vol 140 (684) ◽  
pp. 2287-2297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Orr ◽  
Tony Phillips ◽  
Stuart Webster ◽  
Andy Elvidge ◽  
Mark Weeks ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 1593-1604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Markina ◽  
Alexander Gavrikov ◽  
Sergey Gulev ◽  
Bernard Barnier

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Hataek Kwon ◽  
Seong-Joong Kim ◽  
Sang-Woo Kim ◽  
Sinu Kim

Abstract The topographical effect on a strong wind event that occurred on 7 January 2013 at King Sejong Station (KSJ), Antarctica, was investigated using the Polar Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Numerical experiments applying three different terrain heights of the Antarctic Peninsula (AP) were performed to quantitatively estimate the topographical effect on the selected strong wind event. The experiment employing original AP topography successfully represented the observed features in the strong wind event, both in terms of peak wind speed (by ~94%; ~19.7 m/s) and abrupt transitions of wind speed. In contrast, the experiment with a flattened terrain height significantly underestimated the peak wind speeds (by ~51%; ~10.4 m/s) of the observations. An absence of AP topography failed to simulate both a strong discontinuity of sea-level pressure fields around the east coast of the AP and a strong south-easterly wind over the AP. As a result, the observed downslope windstorm, driven by a flow overriding a barrier, was not formed at the western side of the AP, resulting in no further enhancement of the wind at KSJ. This result demonstrates that the topography of the AP played a critical role in driving the strong wind event at KSJ on 7 January 2013, accounting for ~50% of the total wind speed.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Léo Seyfried ◽  
Claude Estournel ◽  
Patrick Marsaleix ◽  
Evelyne Richard

Abstract. The north Balearic front forms the southern branch of the cyclonic gyre in the North Western Mediterranean Sea. Its dynamics exhibits significant seasonal variability. During autumn, the front spreads northward during the calm wind periods and rapidly moves back southward when it is exposed to strong northerly wind events such as the Tramontane and Mistral. These strong winds considerably enhance the air–sea exchanges. To investigate the role of air–sea exchanges on the dynamics of the North Balearic front, we used observations and a high-resolution air–sea coupled modelling system, and focused on a strong wind event observed in late October 2012, which was well-documented during the Hydrological Cycle Mediterranean Experiment. The coupled model was able to correctly reproduce the 4 °C sea surface temperature drop recorded in the frontal zone together with the observed southwestward displacement of the front. The comparison between the weak wind period preceding the event and the strong wind event itself highlighted the impact of the wind regime on the air–sea coupling, with both thermal and dynamical couplings during the low wind period and mainly thermal coupling during the strong wind period. The effect of air–sea exchanges on the stratification variations in the frontal zone was investigated with a stratification budget diagnosis. The stratification variations are controlled by diabatic air–sea buoyancy flux, adiabatic Ekman buoyancy flux, and advective processes. During the strong wind period, the Ekman buoyancy flux was found to be three times greater than the air–sea buoyancy flux and thus played a major role in the destratification of the frontal zone. The role of Ekman pumping and inertial wave on the advective processes is also discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-77
Author(s):  
Dewan Abdul Quadir ◽  
Towhida Rashid ◽  
Shammi Akhter ◽  
MN Ahasan

Investigation of meteorological conditions favorable for formation of pre-monsoon thunderstorm over Bangladesh has been conducted by simulating a selected thunderstorm case using ARW dynamic core of WRF model (WRF-ARW). A multi-cell thunderstorm formed on 30-03-2018 over the northwestern tip of Bangladesh and adjacent territories of India and moved south-southeast wards with its highest development at 09:30 UTC was selected for this study. The chosen case of thunderstorm has 3 distinct cells of which 2 cells have the width of over 100 km each and the third one located in the eastern Bangladesh and had the width of 50 km. A WRF ARW model has been applied to examine the atmospheic characteristics favorabe for genesis of selected case run in a double nested domain of resolution of 9x9 km2 in the outer domain and 3 3 km2in the inner domain.  The analysis of the geopotential height field of 925 hPa level generated by WRF model at different hours of 31 March 2018 clearly indicates favourable condition with pockets of micro lows and their progression towards central to southeastern Bangladesh. The strong winds blowing from Bay of Bengal along an anticyclone over the Bay brings sufficient moisture to the north. The southerly winds meet the easterly and also westerly winds providing strong low level convergence which favors the convective activities forming cumulus cells. The orography of foothills may also enhance the convections. The wind in the upper tropospheric winds attains jet speed over these areas. The distribution of divergence and vorticity in the 925 hPa level shows the evolution of system. The distribution of precipitation shows that the spatial patterns were well captured. Vertical velocity has been plotted along the vertical-horizontal plane oriented in the east-west direction across a high rainfall cell. This shows that the highest development of narrow vertical cell extends up to 100 hPa level. Following the temporal evolution of the system, it is seen that the highest development delayed by around 2 hours. Some mitigation strategies in respect of thunderstorms and associated lighting are also discussed. Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 68(1): 71-77, 2020 (January)


Author(s):  
Larry Pratt ◽  
E. Jason Albright ◽  
Irina Rypina ◽  
Houshuo Jiang

The Lagrangian and Eulerian structure and dynamics of a strong wind event in the Tokar Gap region are described using a WRF model hindcast for 2008. Winds in the Tokar Gap reach 25 m s-1 and remain coherent as a jet far out over the Red Sea, whereas equally strong wind jets occurring in neighboring gaps are attenuated abruptly by a jump-like hydraulic transition that occur just offshore of the Sudan coast. The transition is made possible by the supercritical nature of the jets, which are fed by air that spills down from passes at relatively high elevation. By contrast, the spilling flow in the ravine-like Tokar Gap does not become substantially supercritical and therefore does not undergo a jump, and also carries more total horizontal momentum. The Tokar Wind Jet carries some air parcels across the Red Sea and into Saudi Arabia, whereas air parcel trajectories in the neighboring jets ascend as they cross through the jumps, then veer sharply to the southeast and do not cross the Red Sea. The mountain parameter Nh/U is estimated to lie in the rage 1.0-4.0 for the general region, a result roughly consistent with a primary gap jet having a long extension, and supercritical jets spilling down from higher elevation passes. The strong event is marked by the formation of a cyclonic cell near the upstream entrance to the Tokar Gap, a feature absent from the more moderate events that occur throughout the summer. The cell contains descending air parcels that are fed into the primary and secondary jets. An analysis of the Bernoulli function along air parcel trajectories reveals an approximate balance between the loss of potential energy and gain of internal energy and pressure, with surprisingly little contribution from kinetic energy, along the path of the descending flow. All jets attain the critical wind speed nominally required to loft dust into the atmosphere, though only the Tokar Gap has a broad, delta region with plentiful deposits of silt.


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