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Spatiotemporal Analysis of Wind Extremes in Santa Barbara County, CA
  • +1
  • Katelyn Zigner,
  • Leila Carvalho,
  • Charles Jones,
  • Gert-Jan Duine
Katelyn Zigner
University of California, Santa Barbara

Corresponding Author:kzigner@ucsb.edu

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Leila Carvalho
University of California, Santa Barbara
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Charles Jones
University of California, Santa Barbara
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Gert-Jan Duine
University of California, Santa Barbara
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Abstract

Downslope and gusty winds in the lee of the Santa Ynez Mountains (SYM) greatly influence the Santa Barbara (SB) coast in California. These winds, known as ‘Sundowners’ due to their typical peak after sunset, are characterized by northerly cross-mountain flow and strong stability at mountaintop level. The National Weather Service (NWS) defines a Sundowner when sustained cross-mountain winds greater or equal to 30 mph or gusts greater or equal to 35 mph are observed at surface stations located downwind of the SYM. In addition to gale-force winds, temperatures above 100°F and relative humidity below 15% are not uncommon during sundowners, and the marine layer influences the spatial extent to which these strong winds may reach. These conditions have led to turbulence which effects aviation at the local airport and the rapid spread of multiple destructive wildfires in the region, including the Jesusita Fire (2009), Sherpa Fire (2016), and Thomas Fire (2017).