MODELING OF STABLE AIR-FLOW OVER A COMPLEX REGION

A numerical model is proposed to describe the flow of stable surface air over a region of complex topographic relief and nonuniform surface temperature. A linear model is acheived by neglecting the Coriolis force and by assuming that coupling between the motion of surface air and overlying geostrophic wind is through the pressure gradient rather than momentum transfer. The two-dimensional, steady-state, potential flow model which results takes into account the first-order influences of topographic relief, the land breeze, slope and valley winds, and the synoptic-scale pressure gradient. These results are relevant to determining the impact that airborne effluent from general industrial activity will have on neighboring urban areas.