Model Evaluation of the Summer Daytime Induced Flows over Southern Israel

The summer daylight and evening surface flows over southern Israel were simulated by a numerical mesoscale model. The overall characteristics of the simulated flow patterns were reasonably resolved as implied by the available observational studies. The nature of specific di~crepancies between predicted and observed flows was evaluated. The development of the flow patterns along the eastern slopes of the Judean mountains and the Dead Sea, as well as the central Negev mountains and the northern section of the 'Arava were found to be significantly affected by the penetration of the Mediterranean sea breeze. Introduction Previous numerical model studies of the summer surface flow patterns in Israel have focused on the central and northern sections, e.g. Doron and Neumann (1977), Anthes and Warner (1978), Mahrer and Segal (1979), Segal et al. (1981, 1982, 1983) and Alpert et al. (1982). The symmetrical orientation of the Mediterranean coast line, the mountainous region and the Jordan Rift Valley in this area are helpful in simplifying some of these studies by permitting twodimensional evaluations. In recent years intense development has occurred in the southern region of Israel. The study of the environmental effects of such development is important in planning the future of this region. The patterns of flow during the summer season (which are persistent and remarkably steady for several months during this season, e.g. Atlas of Israel (1970)), can be considered as one of the environmental parameters of importance to air quality, climatic comfort, and wind energy evaluations. Surface wind data, unfortunately, is relatively sparse in this region as compared to that collected during recent decades in the populated central and northern regions of the country. On the other hand, the configuration of the Mediterranean coast and the topography of th.e region suggest hat flow patterns are relatively com.Permanent affiliation: The Seagram Centre for Soil and Water Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot 76100 Israel. Received March 27, 1984 and in revised form August 29, 1984