Wind characteristics in Neuquen, North Patagonia, Argentina

Extreme wind episodes influence most economic and social regional activities. Wind and dust storms produce local troubles and discomfort. This paper describes climatological wind characteristics and a surface layer wind profile following a power-law profile approach for later wind tunnel studies. An adequate building plan could improve general life conditions. Statistical results concerning yearly and seasonal mean values were obtained. Two proper series of wind speed measurements were made and analyzed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.