Open AccessA comparison of three methods for predicting wind speeds in complex forested terrain
Author(s) -
Suárez Juan C,
Gardiner Barry A,
Quine Christopher P
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
meteorological applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1469-8080
pISSN - 1350-4827
DOI - 10.1017/s1350482799001267
Subject(s) - airflow , terrain , environmental science , meteorology , wind speed , peninsula , tops , wind direction , climatology , physical geography , geology , geography , cartography , archaeology , engineering , mechanical engineering , spinning
The comparative performance of the WASP and MS‐Micro/3 airflow models and of the DAMS scoring system in calculating the wind climate in complex forested terrain has been examined. An analysis was carried out of predicted and observed wind speeds collected over 18 months at six monitoring sites in mountainous country in the Cowal Peninsula, western Scotland. Both airflow models and the DAMS system produced variable results: the airflow models were most accurate on exposed hill tops whereas DAMS tended to be more accurate in valleys and lower slopes. Taken as a whole this study showed that the DAMS scoring system performed as well as the other airflow models considered. Copyright © 1999 Royal Meteorological Society