Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
and depressions from the Atlantic tend to follow a more
zonal path. Although the storm tracks over Europe do
not shift poleward in summer, the depressions at this
season are less intense and reduced airmass contrasts
produce weaker fronts.
Wind velocities over western Europe bear a strong
relationship to the occurrence and movement of depres-
sions. The strongest winds occur on coasts exposed to
the northwest airflow that follows the passage of frontal
systems, or at constricted topographic locations that
guide the movement of depressions or funnel airflow
into them (Figure 10.1). For example, the Carcassonne
Gap in southwest France provides a preferred southern
route for depressions moving eastward from the
Figure 10.1
Average wind velocities (m s
-1
) over western Europe, measured 50 m above ground level for sheltered terrain, open
plains, sea coast, open sea and hilltops. Frequencies (per cent) of wind velocities for twelve locations are shown.
Source
: From Troen and Petersen (1989).
