Medium- to large-scale atmospheric variability during the Frontal Air-Sea Interaction Experiment
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Authors
Davidson, K. L.
Boyle, P. J.
Gautier, C.
Hanson, H. P.
Khalsa, S. J. S.
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
1991-05-15
Date
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Language
Abstract
Shipboard, aircraft and satellite atmospheric data are examined to determine the representativeness of the Frontal Air-Sea Interaction Experiment (FASINEX) intensive measurement period. Phase II, in terms of climatology, atmospheric forcing, the general structure of the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL), and variability in boundary layer properties affecting air-ocean dynamics and thermodynamics. With regard to climatology, conditions observed during the intensive period were typical in terms of air-sea temperature differences, surface pressure patterns, cloud cover, and storm tracks. Storm system variabilities, such as the air temperature behind cold fronts, wind stress maxima occurring after frontal passage, the times for clockwise vector wind shifts associated with the frontal systems, and the systems' speeds, are estimated and emphasized in synoptic-scale characterizations, since these can be related to observed ocean responses. The local ocean surface variability was observed to have an influence on regional boundary layer properties and on air-sea interaction parameters even in the presence of the atmospheric storms.
Type
Article
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Department of Meteorology
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
21 p.
Citation
Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 96, no. C5, pp. 8531-8551, May 15, 1991
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.