Local Distribution of Prevailing Winds in the Kofu Basin, Yamanashi Prefecture, Central Japan

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  • 中央日本，山梨県甲府盆地における卓越風の局地的分布

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In order to clarify local distribution of the prevailing winds in the Kofu Basin in summer and winter, representatives of the inhabitants were queried using a questionnaire-survey. The questionnaire asked about estimated rates of prevailing wind directions and estimated wind velocity grades, the inhabitants had experienced. Based on the 940 (roughly 3.4 points/km2) responses obtained, the results were plotted firstly and climatological stream lines were drawn secondly. The conditions were to be the following: Relatively weak southerly winds prevailed in summer in the basin and relatively strong northwesterly winds prevailed in winter. However, some differences are found between the windward mountain slopes surrounding the basin and the lee-side slopes of small hills in the basin. In particular, deviating wind systems were found in summer, under the influence of ground surface conditions, buildings/structures, micro-topography etc. In other words, the prevailing winds were weak and more local, because thermal differences became greater in summer.<br> Interestingly, the impact of the heat island effect on the local circulation was found in Kofu City in summer, but not in winter. Local circulations (local cyclonic wind patterns) were detected in summer. Another interesting phenomenon was descending easterly winds in summer affected by the local topography, surrounding the basin. In winter, the basin’s wind regions could be subdivided into four. The most wide spread main parts with north to northwesterly winds developed throughout out the whole basin. However, small deviations were observed at locations under the influence of micro-topography, houses, or tall buildings in the cities, where the winds became weaker. Some examples are: small cyclonic stream patterns are found on slopes with ascending winds and in contrast, anti-cyclonic stream patterns on slope with descending winds. Toward the end of the paper, some aspects of models related to the small-scale topography are presented.<br>

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