PNNL

Abstract

Joint Urban 2003 was conducted during July 2003 in and around the central business district of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A large number meteorological instruments were deployed, including: wind profiling radars, sodars, sonic anemometers, surface weather stations, temperature data loggers, and radiosondes. A network of tracer sensors was also deployed. The research presented here is based on measurements made using four Doppler sodars that were located along a north-south transect running through the central business district of Oklahoma City. Two conclusions can be drawn from preliminary analysis presented. First, our observations suggest that the presence of the central business district leads to a measurable and consistent change in the wind patterns over the city. Second, a simple conceptual model, in which surface drag leads to a consistent change in the wind direction does not appear to applicable.