Tropospheric Stratospheric Turbulence and Vertical Diffusivities.
Abstract
The determination of winds and temperature by rawinsonde allows us to calculate the Richardson number, a measure of atmospheric instability. From this, we can then determine the turbulent atmospheric parameters, diffusivity (K), rate of heat deposition (epsilon), and the vertical turbulent intensity (<w2>). Comparison of these data, for the spring periods, with contours of residual stratospheric radioactivity demonstrate that, at the tropopause, the isocountours of turbulent diffusivity accurately follow the isodensity contours of the residual radioactivity. We also demonstrate that the rapid cessation of the turbulent diffusivity accurately predicts the level of the tropopause. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 14, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA084809
Entities
People
- E. A. Murphy
- S. P. Zimmerman
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory