Atmospheric flows over complex terrain

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My research program is concerned with understanding the nature of wind flow in areas of complex terrain: over mountains, through valleys, and along mountainous coastlines. The proposed research involves both making measurements (directly at the surface, and remotely above the surface), and mainly involves conducting high-resolution computer simulations of the atmosphere in these areas. In conducting this research theme, a number of projects will be undertaken to address both basic and applied atmospheric science questions, as well as collaborative projects with multidisciplinary questions. In addition to furthering basic understanding of the atmospheric boundary layer, this work will address important questions with health, safety, and economic implications such as: transport and dispersion of air pollution and forest pests; forecasting winds for marine, aviation and public users; assessing areas in forests prone to strong winds with a view to managing forests to minimize timber blow down. The new CFI/BCKDF-funded High Performance Computing Facility at UNBC will be used to conduct continuous high-resolution (horizontal grid spacing of 1 to 3 km) simulations of the atmosphere over several areas of particular interest in the British Columbia central interior and coastal zone. Model output will be validated through comparisons with observations. Model output at high resolution will be archived for a multi-year period, allowing phenomenological research to go beyond analysis of only a few case studies, and to develop reasonable statistics based upon the high resolution model output. Some results of this research are anticipated to lead to: improved methods of forecasting air quality and winds; better understanding of the long-range transport of mountain pine beetle infestations; information for forest resource managers to use in better planning forest harvesting and treatments to minimize economic loss and ecological damage from tree blow down; and a better understanding of the effects of future climate on glacier mass balance in the western cordillera.