An analysis of strong wind events simulated in a GCM near Casey in the Antarctic

Abstract

Strong wind events occurring near Casey (Antarctica) in a long July GCM simulation have been studied to determine the relative roles played by the synoptic situation and the katabatic flow in producing these episodes. It has been found that the events are associated with strong katabatic and strong gradient flow operating together. Both components are found to increase threefold on average for these strong winds, and although the geostrophic flow is the stronger, it rarely produces strong winds without katabatic flow becoming stronger than it is in the mean. The two wind components do not flow in the same direction; indeed, there is some cancellation between them, since katabatic flow acts i..