A linear study of high-drag states and flow stagnation produced by mountain waves

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2005

Authors

Teixeira, MAC (Author) Other; Miranda, PMA (Author) Other; Argain, JL (Author) Other; Valente, MA (Author) Other

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: Hrvatski Meteoroloski Casopis

Pages: 475-479

ISSN: 1330-0083

Indexing

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-EVG

Abstract (EN): A linear model of gravity waves generated by stratified airflow over mountains is developed. The model provides simple, closed-form formulas for the surface drag in a situation where conditions for wave resonance exist. The wind is constant near the surface and decreases linearly above. The drag normalized by its value in the absence of shear is found to depend on two parameters: the height of the interface where the shear is discontinuous and the Richardson number, Ri, in the region above. This drag attains maxima when the height of the interface induces constructive interference between the upward and downward propagating reflected waves, and minima when there is destructive interference. The amplitude of the drag modulation becomes larger for lower Ri. It is also shown that, for Ri<2.25, the locations where wave breaking is first predicted to occur in flow over a 2D ridge become displaced horizontally and vertically by an amount depending on Ri.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific