Numerical simulation of winter katabatic winds from west Antarctica crossing Siple Coast and the Ross Ice Shelf

Abstract

The Antarctic katabatic winds are mainly due to the strong radiative cooling of ice slopes. The simulated surface wind regime reveals confluence zones just inland from the coast and diffluence zones around the crest of the terrain. The model results suggest that the continuation of katabatic winds beyond coastal confluence zones, which are sustained by cold-air drainage in the interior, has an important impact on airflow over the flat Ross Ice Shelf adjacent to the Transantarctic Mountains. The prescribed pressure disturbance has little impact on the surface winds in the interior but markedly impacts those over and beyond the gently sloping coastal areas. -from Authors