Anomalously strong bora over the Black Sea: Observations from space and numerical modeling

Abstract

An anomalously strong Novorossiysk bora (strong coastal wind) observed in January–February 2012 with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images from the Radarsat-1 and Radarsat-2 satellites is studied using the high resolution Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF). The bora was reliably reproduced not only in the narrow coastal zone, but also far in the open part of the Black Sea. As a result of modeling we demonstrated that an optimally configured WRF—ARW model with nested grids and horizontal resolution equal to 9/3/1 km quite well qualitatively and quantitatively reproduces the bora events. The details and structure of the bora (for example, wind strips and other peculiarities) seen on the SAR images were clearly reproduced by numerical modeling. Coupled analysis allowed us to conclude that these two alternative methods of investigating this dangerous meteorological phenomenon are highly effective.