A Numerical Study on the Mechanism of Lee Vortex in the Lee of Large Scale Mountain

Understanding the nonlinear flow caused by orographic effects can be valuable in siting of new businesses, industries, and transportation facilities. In spite of recent work on large-amplitude waves and wave breaking, the studies of flow around large scale mountains have just begun. The generative mechanism of lee vortices in the lee of large scale mountain is investigated by Ertel's theorem. The CSU RAMS is used as a numerical model. According to the numerical results, the isentropes are depressed behind the large scale mountains. This means the vortex lines must run upward and downward along the depression surface because vortex lines adhere to isentropic surfaces. Therefore, the vertically oriented vorticity can be formed in the lee of the large scale mountain. This vorticity plays an important role for orographic precipitation, because strong vertical velocity and cloud bands are developed along isothermal deformation surface.