Diagnostic Wind Field Modeling for Complex Terrain: Model Development and Testing

Abstract

A three dimensional diagnostic wind field model is shown to be capable of generating potential flow solutions associated with simple terrain features. This is achieved by modifying an initially uniform background wind to make the flow divergence free. Atmospheric stability effects can be incorporated by considering the relative degree of adjustment that is allowed between the horizontal and vertical components of the wind. A framework for developing a Froude-number-dependent expression for this ratio is proposed and evaluated by comparing modeled streamline deflections of flow past an ideal hill with results from wind tunnel and tow tank experiments.