Dispersion in Complex Terrain: A Summary of the AMS Workshop held in Keystone, Colorado, 17–20 May 1983

Abstract

This article summarizes a workshop convened under the direction of the AMS Steering Committee for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Cooperative Agreement on Air Quality Modeling. The purpose of the workshop was to address the status of our understanding of dispersion in complex or mountainous terrain settings, with a specific focus on the ability of current technologies to predict air pollution concentrations in different terrain settings. The meteorological phenomena of importance for estimating the effects of elevated plumes interacting with high terrain are described in detail. Current understanding of the problems associated with lee-side flows and valley meteorology are also addressed. The present operational status of physical and mathematical modeling capabilities is summarized in relation to various terrain configurations. The participants provided a number of recommendations, both on the general use of the present science and also on seven specific areas where further research is needed in order to substantially improve our ability to reliably assess the effects of dispersion in complex terrain. These specific recommendations are accompanied by more-general perspectives regarding the fundamental complexity of stratified-fluid dynamics when coupled with topographic environments.