Parameterization of the Mixing Ratio Vertical Distribution by a Power-Law Profile.
Abstract
An investigation is made into the accuracy of the description of the actual mixing-ratio profile by a power-law approximation. The approximation is obtained by a least-squares technique in order to derive the best-fit exponent lambda of the pressure profile. The lambda-values were computed for soundings at 12 geographically diverse stations over the United States during the period 16-23 March, 1971. The lambda-values at each station were found to undergo a time-variation based mainly on the synoptic-scale variations in the mixing-ratio profiles. A stepwise multiple regression procedure involving up to four variables from the temperature-humidity soundings was used in order to predict the value of lambda from gross-parameters of the soundings by station. Tests were performed at four stations in comparing the observed precipitable water vapor (W sub 0) with that computed from the power-profile (W sub cs) which depended upon lambda computed from the sounding. (Modified author abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0769761
Entities
People
- William Haskew Maxwell
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School