Research Summaries

Back Santa Ana Winds and Coastal Air-Sea Interaction (SAWCASI)

Fiscal Year 2017
Division Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Science
Department Meteorology
Investigator(s) Wang, Qing
Sponsor Office of Naval Research (Navy)
Summary We propose an observation and modeling study associated with the occurrence of Santa Ana Wind (SAW) events in Southern California with the focus on mesoscale forecast model improvements and coastal air-sea interaction and the associated ducting conditions. The southern California region is known for its significant land surface heterogeneity and steep topography that pose a challenge for regional mesoscale models. Although the occurrence of the SAW conditions can be predicted well, the specific details of the offshore wind strength and thermodynamic manifestation show large discrepancies. Meanwhile, the SAW events result in the stable conditions offshore (warm air over cold water), a boundary layer/surface layer condition that is most challenging for mesoscale models, as well as for evaporation duct predictions. Since the occurrence of SAW can be predicted reasonably well, coordinated measurements can be planned to fully characterize the mesoscale environment and the boundary layer turbulence and thermodynamic properties in stably stratified conditions that are otherwise difficult to catch.
Keywords mesoscale model foreceast offshore wind stable boundary layers
Publications Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal