Observations and simulation of katabatic flows during a heatwave in Iceland
Katabatic flows during a heatwave in August 2004 in Iceland are studied using observations and a high-resolution simulation with a numerical atmospheric model. In relation with the very high daytime temperatures, weak synoptic winds and clear skies, a radiative surface cooling in excess of 10-15°C w...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Borntraeger
2007-02-01
|
| Series: | Meteorologische Zeitschrift |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2007/0189 |
| _version_ | 1797332558177894400 |
|---|---|
| author | Hálfdán Ágústsson Joan Cuxart Antoni Mira Haraldur Ólafsson |
| author_facet | Hálfdán Ágústsson Joan Cuxart Antoni Mira Haraldur Ólafsson |
| author_sort | Hálfdán Ágústsson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Katabatic flows during a heatwave in August 2004 in Iceland are studied using observations and a high-resolution simulation with a numerical atmospheric model. In relation with the very high daytime temperatures, weak synoptic winds and clear skies, a radiative surface cooling in excess of 10-15°C was observed during the night throughout Iceland. The simulations and initial conditions are compared to available observations. Most of the observed winds, including patterns where weak synoptic winds or katabatic flow interact with orography, are reproduced well. They reveal that the katabatic flow in Southern Iceland can be characterized as low Froude number 'tranquil' flow. The simulations also give valuable indications of locations of relatively strong katabatic winds where no observations are currently available and where katabatic flows are presumably of importance for the local wind climate. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T07:50:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-33bb0c097fe44724b0226002910e4cdb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0941-2948 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T07:50:37Z |
| publishDate | 2007-02-01 |
| publisher | Borntraeger |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Meteorologische Zeitschrift |
| spelling | doaj.art-33bb0c097fe44724b0226002910e4cdb2024-02-02T14:47:39ZengBorntraegerMeteorologische Zeitschrift0941-29482007-02-011619911010.1127/0941-2948/2007/018955808Observations and simulation of katabatic flows during a heatwave in IcelandHálfdán ÁgústssonJoan CuxartAntoni MiraHaraldur ÓlafssonKatabatic flows during a heatwave in August 2004 in Iceland are studied using observations and a high-resolution simulation with a numerical atmospheric model. In relation with the very high daytime temperatures, weak synoptic winds and clear skies, a radiative surface cooling in excess of 10-15°C was observed during the night throughout Iceland. The simulations and initial conditions are compared to available observations. Most of the observed winds, including patterns where weak synoptic winds or katabatic flow interact with orography, are reproduced well. They reveal that the katabatic flow in Southern Iceland can be characterized as low Froude number 'tranquil' flow. The simulations also give valuable indications of locations of relatively strong katabatic winds where no observations are currently available and where katabatic flows are presumably of importance for the local wind climate.http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2007/0189 |
| spellingShingle | Hálfdán Ágústsson Joan Cuxart Antoni Mira Haraldur Ólafsson Observations and simulation of katabatic flows during a heatwave in Iceland Meteorologische Zeitschrift |
| title | Observations and simulation of katabatic flows during a heatwave in Iceland |
| title_full | Observations and simulation of katabatic flows during a heatwave in Iceland |
| title_fullStr | Observations and simulation of katabatic flows during a heatwave in Iceland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Observations and simulation of katabatic flows during a heatwave in Iceland |
| title_short | Observations and simulation of katabatic flows during a heatwave in Iceland |
| title_sort | observations and simulation of katabatic flows during a heatwave in iceland |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2007/0189 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT halfdanagustsson observationsandsimulationofkatabaticflowsduringaheatwaveiniceland AT joancuxart observationsandsimulationofkatabaticflowsduringaheatwaveiniceland AT antonimira observationsandsimulationofkatabaticflowsduringaheatwaveiniceland AT haraldurolafsson observationsandsimulationofkatabaticflowsduringaheatwaveiniceland |