Application of terrain height variance spectra to mesoscale modeling ( Colorado).

The distribution of terrain height variance with wavelength is important for determining the required horizontal grid spacing for mesoscale models so that a subgrid-scale terrain parameterization need not be calculated. One-dimensional terrain height variance spectra for western Colorado are calculated from data collected from topographic maps and NOAA/EDIS/NGSDC 30 s average elevation data tapes. The terrain height variance of this region is found to be linearly dependent on wavelength. -from Authors