ATMOSPHERIC WATER BUDGET OVER TROPICAL AREAS.
Abstract
Different methods for investigating the water vapor budget over the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico are discussed and relevant data sources are listed. From the beginning the study of actual data revealed that the diurnal variation of vapor transport was so large that observations obtained at one fixed hour (or two) daily were not representative for the entire day, and that averages of such data did not represent the average flow. The difference between 12Z and 00Z data is taken as an indication of the diurnal variation and is discussed in detail. The main result is that the diurnal variation is almost the same over large portions of the region irrespective of the geographic conditions near the individual stations, but that a network over the central Pacific Ocean does not show a definite diurnal variation comparable with that over the American waters. Local and spatial differences of the 12Z minus 00Z difference are described. The only data collection accessible to the author containing upper air observations at intervals shorter than twelve hours was analyzed. The result of the analysis shows that diurnal changes are of the same order of magnitude as the mean totals. Hence, trajectories (of water vapor, pollution, fallout, etc.) depend greatly on the time of the day. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0638757
Entities
People
- W. H. Portig