Numerical simulation of atmospheric flow over complex terrain

A model for calculating air-water interaction at the surface of the ocean and a model that numerically simulates the coupled airflow and water current of mesoscale circulation is proposed. The model for calculating air-water interaction has been developed based on theoretical consideration of the boundary layer under the surface of the water. The validity of this model has been verified by a one-dimensional numerical simulation of the ocean mixed layer and a comparison of the results with those of the Japanese Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere-Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGO-COARE). Good agreement has been obtained between the results calculated by the model and the results of actual measurements, especially for the heat flux into the ocean. These findings indicate that the calculation model developed here represents air-sea interaction accurately. In addition, a simulation model that calculates the two-dimensional airflow and the ocean current simultaneously has been developed, and a numerical experiment regarding sea and land breezes is provided. The results reveal that the coastal upwelling against the sea breeze is induced by the Ekman transport of momentum and heat in the atmosphere and the ocean. ((•. 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.