Drainage Flow Prediction with a One-Dimensional Model Including Canopy, Soil and Radiation Parameterizations

Abstract

A mathematical model for simulation of winds over mountain slopes was developed and tested withobservations from Australia and the western United States. The model computes profiles of wind andtemperature normal to the slope. The model also computes soil heat fluxes, the mechanical and radiativeeffects of trees, terrestrial radiation fluxes and their modification by clouds, and turbulent heat and momentum fluxes. All variables are integrated over a slope of specified length and steepness. Comparison ofavailable observations to simulated wind profiles showed general agreement, with the best agreement at siteson uniform slopes, and poorest agreement in complex terrain. The model is sensitive to variations in cloudheight, forest coverage, slope parameters, and ambient winds and temperatures. This sensitivity implies thataccurate simulations of drainage winds by multidimensional models will require inclusion of the sameexternal parameters.