Authors: Hornsteiner, Matthias; Zängl, Günther

Source: Meteorologische Zeitschrift, Volume 13, Number 1, 1 February 2004 , pp. 25-31(7)

Publisher: E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung

Abstract:

Strong nocturnal downvalley winds can often be observed in the Isar Valley near Mittenwald (Bavarian Alps) under the influence of high pressure systems over Central Europe or in the presence of ambient southerly winds. The properties of this downvalley wind are similar to the Alpine foehn, bringing about a pronounced increase in temperature and a concomitant decrease in relative humidity. We will therefore refer to this wind as "mini-foehn". Measurements with automatic surface stations as well as numerical simulations with the MM5 model show that the mini-foehn is a part of the strong nocturnal drainage flow in the adjacent Leutasch Valley in Tyrol. This flow is driven by the temperature difference between the nearby plateau of Seefeld and the free atmosphere above Mittenwald, lying some 250 m below Seefeld. The foehn effect arises from the fact that the cold low-level air leaves the Leutasch Valley through a narrow gorge while potentially warmer air from higher levels reaches Mittenwald via a small mountain ridge. A second jet-like downvalley wind is found in the Isar Valley between Scharnitz and Mittenwald. The temperature of this air mass is usually lower than that of the Leutasch Valley jet, leading to pronounced temperature contrasts around Mittenwald.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2004/0013-0025

Publication date: 2004-02-01

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• Meteorologische Zeitschrift (originally founded in 1866) is the joint periodical of the meteorological societies of Austria, Germany and Switzerland. It accepts high-quality peer-reviewed manuscripts on all aspects of observational, theoretical and computational research out of the entire field of meteorology, including climatology. Meteorologische Zeitschrift represents a natural forum for the meteorological community of Central Europe and worldwide.
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