Influence of thermal effects on street canyon circulations

Bohnenstengel, S. I. L., Schlünzen, K. H. and Grawe, D. (2004) Influence of thermal effects on street canyon circulations. Meteorologische Zeitschrift, 13 (5). pp. 381-386. ISSN 0941-2948 doi: 10.1127/0941-2948/2004/0013-0381

Abstract/Summary

A numerical study has been carried out to investigate the influence of large-scale thermal effects and strong local-scale temperature gradients near the ground on the circulation inside a street canyon. The results show that the dynamical forcing dominates the circulation inside a street canyon. But this forcing is influenced by the large-scale thermal stability. Thus, atmospheric stability indirectly controls the street canyon circulation. Small temperature gradients inside the street-canyon are neutralised by the external dynamical forcing. Strong temperature gradients inside the street-canyon show an impact on the street canyon circulation. While stable stratification reduces the circulation for the building configuration investigated, convective stratification seems to intensify it.