A Numerical Study on the Karman Vortex Generated by Breaking of Mountain Wave

The formation mechanism of the vortex streets in the lee of the mountain is investigated by a three-dimensional numerical model. The model is based upon the hydrostatic Boussinesq equations in which the vertical turbulent momentum flux is estimated by a turbulence parameterization scheme, but the horizontal viscosity is assumed to be constant. The results show that Karman vortex streets can form even without surface friction in a constant ambient flow with uniform stratification. The vortex formation is related to breaking of the mountain wave, which depends on the Froude number (Fr). In the case of a three-dimensional bell-shaped mountain, the wave breaking occurs when Fr is less than about 0.8, while a Karman vortex forms when Fr is less than about 0.22. Vortex formation also depends on Reynolds number, which is estimated from the horizontal diffusivity. The vortex formation can be explained by the wave saturation theory given by Lindzen (1981) with some modification. Simulations in this study show that in the case of Karman vortex formation the momentum flux in the lower level is much larger than the saturated momentum flux whereas it is almost equal to the saturated momentum at the upper levels as expected from the saturation theory. As a result, large flux divergence is produced in the lower layer, the mean flow is decelerated behind the mountain, and the horizontal wind shear forms between unmodified ambient wind. The momentum exchange between the mean flow and the mountain wave is produced by the turbulence within a breaking wave. From the result, well developed vortices like Karman vortex can be formed. The results of the momentum budget calculated by the hydrostatic model are almost the same as nonhydrostatic results as long as horizontal scale of the mountain is 10 km. A well developed Karman vortex similar to the hydrostatic one was simulated in the nonhydrostatic case. Therefore, we conclude that the hydrostatic assumption is adequate to investigate the origin of the Karman vortex from the viewpoint of wave breaking.