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Characterization of typical coastal circulations with high‐resolution measurements in the Gulf of Valencia
Author(s) -
Fock Björn Hendrik,
Schlünzen K. Heinke
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of climatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.58
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-0088
pISSN - 0899-8418
DOI - 10.1002/joc.2362
Subject(s) - orography , sea breeze , climatology , valencia , environmental science , circulation (fluid dynamics) , land cover , oceanography , geology , meteorology , geography , land use , precipitation , ecology , physics , civil engineering , engineering , biology , thermodynamics
Measurements from 27 stations taken in the coastal area of the Gulf of Valencia are utilized to characterize the typical coastal circulation systems observed in this area. The wind measurements are available in a resolution of 15 s at daytime and 5 min at nighttime and cover the period of May 2006–April 2007. The analysis of median daily cycles shows that the meteorological situation in the Gulf of Valencia is dominated by a distinguished sea breeze. The observed development of local circulation systems varies within a distance of just a few kilometres, not only over land but also over water. These variations can be explained by the local influences of a pronounced coastal orography, land use and shape of the coastline. The measurements are classified in days with and days without pronounced sea breeze effects. This classification allows a refined discussion on spatial and temporal characteristics of the observed circulation systems. The classification shows an occurrence of sea breezes at 2 out of 3 days. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society