How Dry is the Sky. A Decade Later and the SST.
Abstract
Water vapor that would be added to the stratosphere by a potential fleet of SSTs is related to the most accepted humidity balance in the stratosphere based on general circulation considerations, and to moisture introduced into the stratosphere by vaporization from convective clouds. A mean residence time of 25 months for water vapor was calculated from general circulation values. On the assumption that other water vapor reaching the stratosphere was an equal time of residence, a fleet of SSTs would increase humidity by 0.5 ppm or 25 percent of the generally accepted 2 ppm equilibrium value. Vaporization of only 1 percent of the convective cloud mass, calculated herein to enter the stratosphere, would increase its mixing ratio by 1 ppm. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 27, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0748797
Entities
People
- Arthur J. Kantor
- Donald D. Grantham
- Norman Sissenwine
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories