SUMMER DIURNAL WIND PATTERNS AT 3,000 m SURFACE LEVEL, FRONT RANGE, COLORADO, U.S.A.

Abstract

Observations of hourly wind speeds and directions were taken over a 56-day period in summer 1978, at the 3,000 m ground level near an INSTAAR mountain research site on the east slope of the Front Range, Colorado Rockies. During nearly calm weather, which persisted for longer periods than normal in summer 1978, the pattern of diurnal wind variations resembles results from other mountain studies of wind along high mountain slopes. However, timing of high wind speeds during the daily cycle is not readily explainable, although hypotheses can be offered. Results of this study can assist in interpretations of forest clearing microclimates at high elevations in the mountains and in important air quality questions (e.g., precipitation pH) in the Rocky Mountains.