Observations of complex terrain flows using acoustic sounders: Drainage flow structure and evolution

This paper presents an analysis of nocturnal drainage flows in a mountainous coastal environment where the elevation of the terrain is comparable with the elevation of the marine temperature inversion. The analysis traces the initiation, evolution, and breakup of the drainage flow using acoustic sounder facsimile data and tethered sonde measurements of wind and temperature. Conditions addressed include (1) opposing seabreeze flow ranging from 2 to 8m s-1, (2) aiding flow, and (3) large-scale and drainage-induced subsidence. The effect of deep marine temperature inversions pervades the observations, as seen in deeper, more stratified echo layers, weaker drainage, and delayed destruction of the inversion in the morning.