Work

Unfavorable Local Meteorological Conditions in the Vicinity of the Planned Nuclear Power Plant in Jordan

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The development of nuclear energy in Jordan necessitates a detailed understanding of local meteorological behavior, particularly during unfavorable weather conditions. This study uses the METEO mesoscale model to simulate wind fields, vertical motions, and surface–air temperature differences under unfavorable wind directions (15°, 105°, and 195°) and two wind speeds (1 m/s and 5 m/s), across cold season (January) and warm season (July), near the Samra Energy Power Plant (SEPP)—a proposed location for Jordan’s nuclear plant. Simulations reveal that low wind speeds create stable atmospheric layers with limited vertical motion (±0.1 m/s), enhancing the risk of pollutant accumulation in valleys. Higher wind speeds promote vertical mixing (up to ±0.15 m/s) and lower temperature gradients (within ±0.2 °C), dispersing pollutants more efficiently. These results suggest that specific wind thresholds could determine the spatial extent of emergency response zones, including “shelter-in-place” areas and evacuation perimeters. This study offers valuable insights for nuclear safety planning and environmental risk assessment in complex terrain.

Source: Atmosphere

DOI: 10.3390/atmos16101215