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Thermo‐topographically induced boundary layer oscillations over the central Namib, southern Africa
Author(s) -
Lindesay J. A.,
Tyson P. D.
Publication year - 1990
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.3370100108
Subject(s) - geology , climatology , boundary layer , planetary boundary layer , airflow , atmospheric sciences , global wind patterns , prevailing winds , oceanography , mechanical engineering , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
Diurnal and seasonal oscillations of the atmospheric boundary layer over the central Namib Desert on the west coast of southern Africa are examined. Both the vertical and horizontal structure of the thermo‐topographic airflow are contrasted with similar wind systems occurring over Natal on the east coast of the subcontinent. Thermo‐topographic airflows over the central Namib are found to have a regional significance frequently equalling or exceeding that of the general circulation. The strength, depth, and unusually clearly defined diurnal and seasonal oscillations of these winds render the central Namib a unique area for the study of boundary layer oscillations.