ADVANCES IN POLAR SCIENCE ›› 2015, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (4): 351-363.DOI: 10.13679/j.jdyj.2015.4.351

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ANALYSIS OF KATABATIC WIND ON THE COAST OF PRYDZ BAY

Ding Zhuoming1, Zhang Lin1, Bian Lingen2, Sun Qizhen1   

  1. 1 National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center, Key Laboratory of Research on Marine Hazards Forecasting,Beijing 100081, China;
    2 Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
  • Received:2014-05-29 Revised:2015-01-08 Online:2015-12-30 Published:2015-12-30

Abstract: Basing on the sounding observation of Ozone ballon and tower data (organized by Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences) and reanalysis data(ECWMF, ERA Interim), we analysed the synoptic weather patterns in the region of Prydz Bay and in the interior of Eastern Antarctica, characteristics of boundary layer in Zhongshan Station, the daily changes of meteorological elements. We also simulated the katabatic winds by logarithmic profile theory and tower data, and compared the results with observation. Case studies showed on sunny nights or cloudy daytime, the surface radiation cooling in the interior of Antarctica caused temperature reducing, and the the horizonal gradient of surface temperature from there to Prydz Bay was large. Air of inland was anticyclonic and divergent. The position of anticyclone determined intensify of the Katabatic wind in western and eastern Prydz Bay. When katabatic wind reached Zhongshan Station, it happened in the bottom of boundary layer. The wind direction was constant, mainly east and east northeast, leading to unstable stratification, making air temperature and potential temperature drop rapidly. The simulating capacity of logarithmic profile theory was limited.

Key words: Zhongshan Station, Prydz Bay, Princess Elizabeth Land, katabatic wind, radio sounding profile, logarithmic profile