Simulation of Antarctic Surface Wind Using the Eta Model

In recent years numerical studies of Antarctic atmosphere have been performed using three-dimensional (3-D) mesoscale models. Katabatic winds and low surface temperatures are perhaps the most remarkable features of the Antarctic climate: the the annual mean wind speed reachs 19 m/s along the Adelie Coast (East Antarctica). A simulation using the limited area model ETA, with a horizontal grid resolution of 40 km and 38 levels in vertical, nested within the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) analyses is shown. The simulation of the period from 00 UTC January 16 to 00 UTC January 19 1994 captures many synoptic features seen in ECMWF analyses. Realistic confluence zones over the continent are evident in the wind at the lowest levels and, as expected , the wind speeds are high along the steep escarpment. Comparisons between simulated wind and AWS data at Adelie Land and Dome C will be presented.