The characteristics of mountain waves observed by radar near the west coast of Wales

Abstract. Radar observations at 46.5 MHz of vertical-velocity perturbations at Aberystwyth (52.4^°N, 4.1^°W) have been used to examine the incidence of mountain waves and their dependence on local topography and the wind vector at low heights. A contrast is drawn between the effects of easterly winds passing over major topographical features to the east of the radar site and those of westerly winds crossing low coastal topographical features to the west. Estimates are made of the vertical flux of horizontal momentum associated with mountain waves, and the general influence of mountain-wave activity on vertical-velocity measurements at the site is assessed.