Aerodynamics of Mountain Valleys with Varying Cross Sections

The influence of shape and aspect ratio of a mountain valley on the wind field is studied with the use of a two-dimensional quasi-laminar model. A vortex with the axis directed along the valley appears in the simulations. In addition, an air flow along the valley is found. The speed of this flow at the vortex centre depends on the valley aspect ratio (the ratio of the valley width to its depth). This speed is less than the corresponding wind component at the same height in the undisturbed flow if the aspect ratio is smaller than a critical value, and it is greater than the undisturbed wind component if the aspect ratio is greater than the critical value. The latter is different for valleys having cross sections of different shape.