Dynamical aspects of katabatic wind evolution in the Antarctic coastal zone

The spatial evolution of katabatic winds along idealized slopes representative of Antarctic terrain is examined using a hydrostatic, two-dimensional primitive equation model with high resolution. A downslope momentum-forces analysis is made of simulations in which the katabatic flow reaches steady state, with emphasis on physical mechanisms in the coastal zone. The importance of the reversal of the pressure gradient force in the coastal zone, causing the sudden decay of katabatic winds, is discussed.