A Modeling Study on the Downslope Wind of “Katevatos” in Greece and Implications for the Battle of Arachova in 1826

Downslope winds and lee gravity waves are common features of mountainous environments. A similar weather type at Mt. Parnassos in Arachova, Greece is known as “Katevatos” and has devastating results for the population and visitors at the local touristic resorts. In this study, we analyze three incid...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Atmosphere 2021-08, Vol.12 (8), p.993
Main Authors: Solomos, Stavros, Nastos, Panagiotis, Emmanouloudis, Dimitrios, Koutsouraki, Antonia, Zerefos, Christos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arachova
Atmospheric models
Casualties
downslope
Downslope winds
Gravity waves
Hurricanes
Katevatos
Low pressure
Lower troposphere
Mountains
Temperature
Topography
Troposphere
Wave energy
Wave power
Wave reflection
Weather
Weather conditions
Weather hazards
Wind
Wind patterns
Winds
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Summary:Downslope winds and lee gravity waves are common features of mountainous environments. A similar weather type at Mt. Parnassos in Arachova, Greece is known as “Katevatos” and has devastating results for the population and visitors at the local touristic resorts. In this study, we analyze three incidents of this atmospheric pattern at local scale resolution (1 × 1 km) with WRF model. This is the first study of this local weather hazard, and the following key factors are identified. (I) The main synoptic forcing is the propagation of an upper-level trough from central Europe towards the Balkans. (II) The associated generation of a surface low-pressure system over the Aegean Sea results in a northeast flow in the lower troposphere that is perpendicular to the main topographic ridge of Mt. Parnassos. (III) Generation of gravity waves and downward reflection of wave energy at the critical level between the upper level flow and the undercutting northeast current result in the formation of “Katevatos” downslope wind at the lee side of the mountain. This hurricane-scale wind is accompanied with horizontal transport of frozen rain and snow from the mountain tops towards the village of Arachova. This wind pattern appeared also during the battle of Arachova in November 1826 between the Greek and Ottoman forces resulting in enormous casualties due to the adverse weather conditions.
ISSN:2073-4433
2073-4433
DOI:10.3390/atmos12080993