Exercise : WindBreaks - Mini-Depot Setup : Mongolia

Jun 10

3 min read

Situation

Wind speeds across the Mongolian steppe and prairies generally average 4 to 6 m/s (approx. 9 to 13 mph).

However, the landscape is heavily exposed, allowing for sudden gusts and seasonal winds that easily exceed 60 mph.

Spring is the windiest season, frequently bringing severe, sky-darkening sand and dust storms.

source: google.com

The wind environment on the Mongolian prairie shifts based on seasonal and geographical factors:

Spring (Windiest Period): April and May see the highest consistent averages, often reaching up to 9 m/s. These months are known for "Mongolian cyclones" that stir up severe dust storms and require airport closures.
Winter (Harsh & Bitter): Winds during the freezing winter months (which can dip below -25°C in some areas) drive deadly blizzards and tsagaan zud (severe winter storms that kill livestock).
Summer (Mild): Breezes become highly welcome during the hot, sunny summers, providing natural relief on the otherwise treeless plains.
Regional Differences: The eastern and southern steppe regions generally experience higher, more consistent wind speeds with smaller diurnal variations compared to the western and northern regions.
Seasonal Peaks: The highest wind speeds occur in the spring (April and May), driven by the collision of cold Siberian systems and warm southern air. A secondary, weaker peak occurs in late autumn.

WindBreaks Setup

1. Cold and Hot Conditions Protection

In hot [conditions], windbreaks serve a dual purpose: they block blistering, desiccating winds that strip moisture from soil, and they create cooler, shaded microclimates for your crops or outdoor living spaces. The best approach is to filter the wind rather than block it completely, which prevents turbulent wind tunnels.

owhhh…!...

[In cold conditions]... as the wind increases, the body is cooled at a faster rate and the skin temperature drops. For example, if the outside temperature is 10°F (-12°C) and the wind speed is 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour), the wind chill is -24°F (-31°C).

A windbreak will reduce wind speed for a distance of as much as 30 times the windbreak's height. But for maximum protection, plant your windbreak at a distance from your building of two to five times the mature height of the trees. The best windbreaks block wind close to the ground by using trees and shrubs that have low crowns. Dense evergreen trees and shrubs planted to the north and northwest of the [building] are the most common type of windbreak.

...be in cold...!...

...it's at zero...

[ average is zero degrees centrigrade ]

...yeah...!...

...and always in mong...

...and -golia...!...

...

...ehh!ehh!ehh!...and in...!...

2. Trees, Bushes, and Shrubs

Often planted together to block or impede wind from ground level to the treetops. Evergreen trees combined with a wall, fence, or earth berm (natural or man-made walls or raised areas of soil) can deflect or lift the wind over the building.

source: google.com