Effects of Temperature Gradient on the Development and Sustainment of Low-Level Coastal Jets
Abstract
Over the summer of 2016, a total of 92 days were reviewed; 22 were determined to meet the requirements of this study for having the presence of a low-level coastal jet (LLCJ). Cross sections were taken to investigate the thermal structure and evidence of the vertical circulation pattern. In each of these examples, a clear jet is present just below a sloping inversion except for one. June 2729 found the presence of a LLCJ but with no sloping inversion, and the jet was found to be above the inversion. Several factors about this case seem to contribute to its unique structure with the jet above the inversion. In order for this structure to occur, the thermal structure above the inversion becomes very important. Above the inversion, there is a stronger than normal thermal gradient that is not present in the other more typical LLCJ cases. This result suggests that a thermal gradient is a necessary condition for the development of the LLCJ no matter how it is developed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1073674
Entities
People
- Phillip B. Smith
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School