S-290 Unit 7: Wind Systems

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  Launch print version

  Launch full media version

  Launch Quiz

  Published on: 2009-11-24
  Estimated time to complete: 2.00 - 3.00 h
  Includes audio: yes

  Topic Area(s)

  Fire Weather
  

  Description:

  S-290 Unit 7: Wind Systems outlines general and local winds and their processes. Detailed information is provided about critical fire weather winds, including frontal winds, foehn winds, and thunderstorm winds and the effects of these winds on wildland fires. The module also describes topographic influences on winds, and provides guidelines for estimating winds based on location and fuel sheltering. The module is part of the Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior Course.

  Objectives:

  
  
  1. Describe the effects of wind on wildland fire behavior.
  
  
  2. Describe general winds around high pressure and low
     pressure systems.
  
  
  3. Describe the cause and effect of local winds (slope/valley
     winds and land/sea breeze) on wildland fire behavior.
  
  
  4. Describe typical diurnal slope and valley wind patterns,
     and identify temporal patterns on a topographic map.
  
  
  5. Describe critical winds and their impact on wildland fire
     behavior.
  
  
  6. Identify three ways topography can alter wind direction
     and speed.
  
  
  7. Describe general, local, and 20-foot and mid-flame
     winds, and their relationship to each other.
  
  
  8. Adjust winds speeds based on topographic location and calculate midflame wind speeds for the three main fuel types.
  
  

  Keywords

  fire, fire weather, wildland fire, wind, foehn, frontal, thunderstorm, glacier, diurnal, slope, valley, land breeze, sea breeze, glacier wind, dust devil, firewhirl, whirlwind, fire behavior, fire weather forecasting, meteorology, weather, education