Numerical simulation of thermally induced near-surface flows over Martian terrain

• Main Authors: Parish, T. R., Howard, A. D.
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: 1993
• Subjects: LUNAR AND PLANETARY EXPLORATION; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2060/19940028717

Numerical simulations of the Martian near-surface wind regime using a mesoscale atmospheric model have shown that the thermally induced near-surface winds are analogous to terrestrial circulations. In particular, katabatic wind displays a striking similarity to flow observed over Antarctica. Introduction of solar radiation strongly perturbs the slope flows; anabatic conditions develop in middle to high latitudes during the daytime hours due to the solar heating of the sloping terrain. There appears to be a rapid transition from the katabatic to the anabatic flow regimes, emphasizing the primary importance of radiative exchanges at the surface in specifying the horizontal pressure gradient force.