Slope flows
•Closed circulation driven by horizontal temperature
contrasts between the air over the slope
and the air at the same level over the center of the valley
•Speeds- 1-5 m/s with
maximum a few meters above the ground
•Increase in speed as
length of slope increases (Antarctica 14-30 m/s)
•Strongest downslope at
sunset; strongest upslope in midmorning
•Depth of downslope ~5%
of drop in elevation from top
•Upslope flows increase
in depth as move upslope
•Stronger the
stability, shallower the slope flows
•Downslope flows
converge into gullies; upslope flows converge over higher ground between gullies