On the sensitivity of downslope windstorms to the asymmetry of the mountain profile

Abstract

The influence of terrain asymmetry on the development and strength of downslope windstorms was examined through the numerical simulation of three basic atmospheric configurations: 1) flow beneath a mean-state critical layer, 2) flow in the presence of breaking waves and 3) flow in a two-layer atmosphere without wave breaking or a mean-state critical layer. When a mean-state critical layer was present in the flow and the wind speed and stability beneath that critical layer were essentially constant, the maximum downslope wind speed was nearly independent of mountain asymmetry. Such insensitivity to mountain shape is consistent with hydraulic theory. -from Authors