Measurements of Stratospheric Water Vapor from the NASA C141 Aircraft.
Abstract
A frost-point hygrometer installed on the NASA C141 Observatory has been used to measure water vapor in the low stratosphere in a 15-degree latitude band over western United States and the eastern Pacific during the winter of 1974-1975. Measurements at 12.5 km in December 1974 revealed regions of below-normal concentration when compared with a 10-year data period beginning in 1964. Measurements in March 1975 show a further drying of the low stratosphere, with a mixing ratio of water vapor to air mass of less than 2.0 ppm. The decrease was observed over a broad latitude band during several flights and appears representative of the midlatitudes generally. Measurements over flight paths which were above the tropopause transition layer showed substantial uniformity over long distances. Typical variability in March was 0.5 ppm about a value of 1.9 ppm. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 17, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA021964
Entities
People
- H. J. Mastenbrook
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory