Project Details
Projekt
The impact of the dynamic and thermodynamic flow conditions on the spatio-temporal distribution of precipitation in southern Patagonia
Applicant
Professor Dr. Tobias Sauter
Subject Area
Physical Geography
Atmospheric Science
Atmospheric Science
Term
from 2014 to 2018
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 262137073
The far south reaching continental wedge of South America is the only significant landmass between 45° and 60°S. The north-south-striking Andes present an effective barrier for the prevailing westerlies and decisively influence both, the hemispheric circulation and the local weather conditions. The Andes act as an obstacle for the tropospheric flow, forming a climatic wall with moist conditions to the west and dry conditions to the east. Uplift of low-level winds over the western slope of the Andes often go along with intensive orographic precipitation in this region. The flow across the mountain range leads to the development of well known atmospheric flow phenomena on the meso- as well as on the regional scale. The associated exchange of energy and mass effectively modifies the distribution and fallout of rain and snow. Despite the strong interaction between flow, topography and precipitation in this region only little research has been carried out so far. This research project makes a contribution to the understanding of the interaction between dynamic processes and the spatial and temporal variability of precipitation in Patagonia. The aim of the project is the quantification of relevant processes, which provide new insights on relevant mechanisms. Dynamic and thermodynamic flow properties are studied in detail by means of high-resolution numerical simulations. Simplified analytical models are further used to study the sensitivity of atmospheric perturbations on the precipitation distribution. The results obtained by this study provides valuable information for hydrological, glaciological and ecological topics.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
International Connection
Austria, Chile, USA
