THERMALLY INDUCED FLOW IN VALLEYS WITH TRIBUTARIES .1. RESPONSE TO HEATING

Flow in long and deep main valleys with tributaries is studied for constant surface heating switched on at t=0. The valley flows are obtained from a numerical model which combines slope wind layer equations with equations for the valley flow off the slopes. Much simpler linear models are used for the intepretation of the model results. If there are no sidevalleys an up-valley wind regime evolves in the main valley after the switch-on of the heating which protrudes towards the head. It is shown that the topographic amplification factor which captures the geometry of the valley and stratification are important factors in determining the intensity of the along-valley flow. However the up-valley winds are also quite sensitive to the specification of the boundary conditions at the upper end of the slope wind layers. If sidevalleys are added strong inflow to these tributaries is found only if their topographic amplification factors are larger than that of the main valley. This flow into the tributaries is mainly balanced by downward motion on top of the main valley but flow entering through the mounth of the main valley can contribute as well. Tributaries can induce flow in the main valley long before the main valley's own up-valley wind regime has reached the location of the tributary. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.