The Effect of the Complex Coastline in the Houston Area

John Nielsen-Gammon

Texas A&M University

Land Use ClassificationStephen Stetson,

Global Environmental Management, Inc.

GOES satellite data assimilation project with R. McNider, A. Pour Biazar, and S.-O Han

from Baker et al. (2001, J. Hydrom.)

ENHANCEMENT

REDUCTION

from Gibson and Vonder Haar (1990 MWR)

Cloud (2 PM CST)

Cold Cloud

from Marshall et al. (2004 MWR)

pre-1900 1993

N2 xx + (f2 – 2) zz = - Qx

• Hyperbolic (wavelike solutions) if (f2 – 2) < 0

• This happens within 30o of equator

• Aspect ratio of energy propagation and phase lines given by L/H = H/ (f2 – 2)1/2

(from Rotunno 1983)

18 UTC 8/30/00

Wind, temperature (F), dew point (F), ozone (ppbV)

19 UTC 8/30/00

20 UTC 8/30/00

21 UTC 8/30/00

22 UTC 8/30/00

23 UTC 8/30/00

00 UTC 8/31/00

14 UTC 8/25/00

16 UTC 8/25/00

18 UTC 8/25/00

20 UTC 8/25/00

22 UTC 8/25/00

00 UTC 8/26/00

Observed winds, Aug 25-29, 2000

Liberty Aug 25,27,28,29 445 m

3P

12N

9A

6A

3A

12M9P

6P

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

U component

V c

om

po

ne

nt

Scientific Issues

• Convergence associated with complex coastline

• Nonlinear interaction with urban heat island

• Sea breeze front depth and convective initiation

• Role of large-scale inertial cycle and upward-propagating inertia-gravity waves