On the Correlation of the Total Precipitable Water in a Vertical Column and Absolute Humidity at the Surface.

Abstract

The relationship between the total precipitable water in the atmosphere, and surface absolute humidity has been examined for more than 1500 upper-level soundings. Total precipitable water and surface absolute humidity were computed for all of the upper-level soundings made in 1970 at San Nicolas Island, Point Mugu, and China Lake, California. The stations, separated by less than 200 mi, are representative of a maritime, a coastal, and a desert environment, respectively. The monthly correlation coefficients, ranging from -0.25 to +0.89, indicate that a direct but widely variable relationship exists between the total precipitable water and surface absolute humidity; however, these results also demonstrate that estimates of total precipitable water from surface humidity measurements are not valid. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 15, 1972
Accession Number
AD0745954

Entities

People

  • Earl E. Reber
  • James R. Swope

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Atmospheres
  • Biological Phenomena
  • California
  • Climate
  • Coefficients
  • Ecological And Environmental Phenomena
  • Environment
  • Humidity
  • Measurement

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Oceanography.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.