ON THE PLACEMENT OF THE TROPOPAUSE IN THE ANTARCTIC
Abstract
Several investigations have led to the conclusion that there is a definite difference between the arctic and the antarctic tropopause. Using the standard definition of tropopause the average height and temperature values for the arctic tropopause for winter are 320 mb and -52 C and for summer they are 260 mb and -56 C. The average values for the antarctic tropopause are reversed, with higher and colder values in winter, 230 mb and -70 C, and lower and warmer values in summer, 300 mb and -50 C. Because of the low stratospheric temperatures in the winter the antarctic tropopause sometimes completely disappears. It was thought that by applying a new definition to determine the placement of the tropopause a reversal of the seasonal fluctuations of the antarctic tropopause might be indicated. This was not proven for the 14 month period used for this study, but the mean height of the tropopause was lowered, the greatest change taking place during the winter season. The number of cases which indicated no tropopause under the conventional definition was reduced when the new definition was applied. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0294794
Entities
People
- Ronald Overby
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories