Accession Number:

ADA370680

Title:

The Interaction Between Propagating Disturbances and Supercritical Marine Layers on the West Coast of the United States

Descriptive Note:

Final technical rept. 1 Jan 94-30 Sep 99

Corporate Author:

SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY LA JOLLA CA CENTER FOR COASTAL STUDIES

Personal Author(s):

• Dorman, Clive E.
• Winant, Clinton D.
• Rogers, David P.

Report Date:

1999-11-12

Pagination or Media Count:

4.0

Abstract:

Thirteen automated stations were constructed, deployed and maintained along the California coast and from 10 May through 15 October 1994 and between Piedras Blancas, CA to Gold Beach, OR from 12 May through 20 October 1996. A major result of this study is the measurement of the summer atmospheric marine layer structure between central Oregon and California. This includes the coastal and buoy winds, the inversion base height, the inversion top height and inversion strength. The summer marine boundary layer along Southern Oregon and to past Point Conception California and beyond 124 W is supercritical or near supercritical a majority of the time. For every major cape and many minor capes, there is a supercritical expansion fan is on the southern side where the marine layer flow accelerates and thins. On the upwind side of every major cape On the upwind side of every major cape is a compression bulge where the marine layer thickens and slows.

Descriptors:

• *MARINE ATMOSPHERES
• WIND
• BOUNDARY LAYER
• SUPERCRITICAL FLOW
• COASTAL ENGINEERING
• BEACHES
• SUMMER

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics
• Physical and Dynamic Oceanography

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE