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Wind and Structures Volume 24, Number 6, June 2017 , pages 565-578 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/was.2017.24.6.565 |
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Numerical simulations of mountain winds in an alpine valley |
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Antonio Cantelli, Paolo Monti, Giovanni Leuzzi, Giulia Valerio and Marco Pilotti
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| Abstract | ||
| The meteorological model WRF is used to investigate the wind circulation in Valle Camonica, Italy, an alpine valley that includes a large subalpine lake. The aim was to obtain the information necessary to evaluate the wind potential of this area and, from a methodological point of view, to suggest how numerical modeling can be used to locate the most interesting spots for wind exploitation. Two simulations are carried out in order to analyze typical scenarios occurring in the valley. In the first one, the diurnal cycle of thermally-induced winds generated by the heating-cooling of the mountain range encircling the valley is analyzed. The results show that the mountain slopes strongly affect the low-level winds during both daytime and nighttime, and that the correct setting of the lake temperature improves the quality of the meteorological fields provided by WRF significantly. The second simulation deals with an event of strong downslope winds caused by the passage of a cold front. Comparisons between simulated and measured wind speed, direction and air temperature are also shown. | ||
| Key Words | ||
| alpine valley; complex terrain; katabatic flows; Lake Iseo; WRF | ||
| Address | ||
| Antonio Cantelli, Paolo Monti and Giovanni Leuzzi: DICEA, Università degli Studi di Roma \"La Sapienza\", Via Eudossiana 18, Roma, Italy Giulia Valerio and Marco Pilotti: DICATAM, Università di Brescia, Via Branze 43, Brescia, Italy | ||