Representativeness of Single Vertical Wind Profiles for Determining Volume Flux in Valleys

Abstract

Wind data collected by a Doppler lidar in a deep mountain valley are used to determine the representativeness of single vertical profiles for approximating the volume flux. A method is described that interpolates these profiles to be representative of an entire valley cross section and provides guidance for placing vertically profiling sensors in future mountain valley studies. It is shown that the horizontal homogeneity assumption leads to large overestimates when volume fluxes are calculated using single vertical wind profiles. Proper sensor placement and a Knowledge of the morphology of the wind field within the valley leads to greater accuracies in estimated volume fluxes.