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Mesoscale circulations in the Los Angeles Basin: A numerical modeling study

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5197902
Mesoscale atmospheric forcing in the Los Angeles Basin was investigated by means of a numerical model and observations. Special attention was paid to airflows that are important to the transport of pollutants in the region. The numerical model was modified in order to improve its numerical stability and enhance its accuracy in the context of sharp topographic relief and strong sea/land thermal contrasts. Output from two simulations were compared with observations to document the model's strengths and weaknesses. Overall, the model results compared well with the observations. Large-scale conditions typical of summer and winter smog episodes were discovered by compositing cases described in the literature. Summer and winter simulations were performed, with and without the large-scale winds typical of the summer and winter episodes, and the results were analyzed. Light geostrophic winds were found to have little influence on the strong mesoscale circulations predicted for the summer day, but stronger geostrophic winds exerted considerable influence on the weaker mesoscale circulations that occurred on the winter day.
Research Organization:
Washington Univ., Seattle, WA (USA)
OSTI ID:
5197902
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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