SIMULATION OF AIR-FLOW IN KASHMIR VALLEY FOR A SUMMER DAY

The airflow over the Kashmir Valley for a summer day was studied using a numerical mesoscale model. Srinagar observations were used as initi al data. The surface orography, soil moisture variations, cloud cover, and vegetation effects were included in the computations. The combine d effect of these factors on the development of atmospheric circulatio ns in the valley was obtained quantitatively, and the three-dimensiona l model simulated results are compared with available observations. Th e following principal results were obtained. (a) The simulated surface temperature pattern shows a close correlation with the terrain elevat ions and prevailing atmospheric stabilities, (b) the intensities of ka tabatic and anabatic winds developed at the slopes are governed by ter rain asymmetries and aspect ratio of the slopes, (c) the boundary laye r depths developed at different locations in the valley are found to b e nonuniform, and (d) the convergence zone formed during nighttime sho ws an irregular distribution.