Use of the Air Force Academy High Wind Alert System in Forecasting ModerateIntensity Wind Events for Military Bases in the Colorado Springs Area

摘要

A study of the problem of forecasting moderate intensity wind events in theColorado Springs area, which are operationally significant to the military bases there, was conducted over a three year period. This study centered on the use of the United States Air Force Academy High Wind Alert System, a network of automatic observing stations in the foothills of the Air Force Academy. The usefulness of the High Wind Alert System as an aid to forecasting the onset of moderate intensity events at the other bases was investigated. The results of a statistical analysis of data taken from the High Wind Alert System on a number of days during which the synoptic conditions indicated the possibility of a moderate intensity wind event are presented, with emphasis on the correlation between the output from the High Wind Alert System and the time of onset of moderate intensity winds at the concerned bases. The results of this analysis, along with the possible empirical forecasting rules they suggest, are explained.