Effects of Mountain Ranges on Mesoscale Systems Development.
Abstract
This report summarizes research accomplishments in five major task areas: (1) Data Bank Acquisition, Emphasizing Satellite Data Over the Western U.S. and China. (2) Synoptic Studies Associated with Severe Weather Events. Two events of vortex development over Tibet, with subsequent heavy rainfall and flooding along the eastern slopes of the plateau, were analyzed in detail for later comparisons with numerical model results. Analyses of data from the western United States revealed the existence of a pronounced monsoon circulation system, and of a diurnally varying plateau circulations system. Both systems have a profound effect on the development of mesoscale convective complexes (MCCs) over the western United States. (3) Numerical Modeling. A mesoscale numerical model was develped which has yielded excellent results over tibet in two case studies of vortex development and heavy precipitation. A number of parameterization schemes, mainly concerned with surface energy fluxes, are now under investigation to allow improved model forecasts over the western United States. (4) Intercomparison of U.S. and P.R.C. Mesoscale Convective Complexes and Their Controlling Effects. Detailed heat budget computations for the atmosphere over Tibet revealed much lower values for the atmospheric heat source during the period May-August, 1979. (5) Field Measurement Program. Two sets of sophisticated intstruments, measuring in detail the surface energy budget, are presently deployed, one in the mountains west of Fort Collins, the other in the Gobi Desert at the northern edge of the Plateau of Tibet.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA143671
Entities
People
- D. F. Tucker
- E. R. Reiter
- J. D. Sheaffer
- M. A. Klitch
- R. L. Mcanelly
Organizations
- Colorado State University