An analysis of the topographical effect on turbulence and diffusion in the atmosphere's boundary layer

An analysis of the wind data recorded at the fifteen stations in the Salt Lake Valley indicates that the distributions of the kinetic energy of the mean and turbulent motions in the valley are generally inhomogeneous and nonstationary. The mean motion in the valley, which is strongly affected by the mountain-valley winds, shows a southeasterly flow in the evening and early morning, a northwesterly flow in the afternoon, and a transitional flow in the late morning and after sunset. The mountain winds generally associate with a horizontally convergent flow, whereas the valley winds associate with a horizontally divergent flow. The distributions of the kinetic energy of the mean and turbulent motions show a maximum occurring in the central part of the valley and two minimums, one in the northern and one in the southern part of the valley. In the afternoon, both the mean and turbulent motions increase their intensities, particularly in the western part of the valley. An analysis of the dispersion characteristics indicates that the rate of diffusion in the valley changes with time and space, with a maximum occurring in the early afternoon and minimum in the early morning.