Trapped mountain wave excitations over the Kathmandu valley, Nepal

• DOI: 10.1007/s13143-015-0078-1
• Publication Date: 2015-11-27T22:14:38Z
• Authors: Ram P. Regmi; Sangeeta Maharjan
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 0207 environmental engineering; 02 engineering and technology

Mid-wintertime spatial and temporal distributions of mountain wave excitation over the Kathmandu valley has been numerically simulated using Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) modeling system. The study shows that low-level trapped mountain waves may remain very active during the night and early morning in the sky over the southern rim of the surrounding mountains, particularly, over the lee of Mt. Fulchoki. Calculations suggest that mountain wave activities are at minimum level during afternoon. The low-level trapped mountain waves in the sky over southern gateway of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) may pose risk for landings and takeoffs of light aircrafts. Detailed numerical and observational studies would be very important to reduce risk of air accidents and discomfort in and around the Kathmandu valley.