Sudden cessation of katabatic winds in Adélie Land, Antarctica

Abstract

The evolution of summer katabatic wind events over the steep slopes of Adélie Land is examined, with emphasis on the sudden cessation of these events. Different idealized large-scale forcings are considered, including a situation that comes very close to one observed during the IAGO (Interaction Atmosphère Glace Océan) campaign, held in the region in November-December 1985. The hydrostatic meso-γ-scale atmospheric model MAR (Modèle Atmosphérique Régional) is used to assess the sensitivity of the simulated cessation process to a prescribed large-scale forcing.