Abstract
In this study, the momentum equations describing an atmospheric flow over a NW Pacific region of Mexico are solved numerically. In order to capture the complex flow-topography interactions with detail, a combination of a numerical wind model in full 3D curvilinear coordinates, along with a high resolution boundary-fitted grid is used. Boundary conditions were obtained from ten years (2002-2012) of measured offshore wind data. Prevailing winds from April to September during that period of observations were selected for the simulations. For the cases analyzed, it was found that at the points of the study region (PSS, PSM, PM), wind speed increased about 10% to 20% of its offshore values, while inland they decreased about 86% to 96%. This spatial behavior agreed very well with the observed local winds. A coastal jet (CJ), 35 km long with speeds about 1.5 - 2 m/s, emanating from PSS was found for NNW winds. Modeled winds were also used to compute wind stresses, wind stress curl, and CUI fields. Wind stress values agreed very well to those reported in the literature. High values of wind stress curl, and CUI were found at the lee of the points (PSS, PSM, PM). Indirect estimations of sea surface currents were about 15 - 20 cm/s offshore and 5 - 10 cm/s at the coast.
Highlights
Orographic modification of stably stratified air flow past a topographic obstacle has been the subject of numerous investigations
The purpose of this investigation is to explore the dynamics of flow past complex topographic obstacles with special emphasis on the formation of lower-boundary jet streams emanating from capes and points such as Point Salsipuedes (PSS), Point San Miguel (PSM), Point Morro (PM) and Point Banda (PB)
For 330 ̊ and 315 ̊ incoming winds, a 1.5 - 2 m/s a coastal jet, CJ originates in PSS and enters land between PM and EB (Figure 3(a) & Figure 3(b)); this CJ is reduced in size and limited to a small area around PSS and PSM for 300 ̊ and 287 ̊ incoming winds (Figure 3(c) & Figure 3(d))
Summary
Orographic modification of stably stratified air flow past a topographic obstacle has been the subject of numerous investigations. The region is an example of a developing urban area located in complex terrain where most of the population is settled along the coast The purpose of this investigation is to explore the dynamics of flow past complex topographic obstacles with special emphasis on the formation of lower-boundary jet streams emanating from capes and points such as Point Salsipuedes (PSS), Point San Miguel (PSM), Point Morro (PM) and Point Banda (PB). We are interested in the response of winds within the study region to coastal topographic forcing of the marine airflow With this aim in mind, we conducted a series of numerical experiments using the General Curvilinear Atmospheric Model (GCAM) [13] [14] with 100 m. They were used for calculating the wind stress, wind stress curl and other variables of biological interest
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