The height of the level of maximum wind as a function of the heights of the tropopause and the 300-mb surface

Abstract

A need for more knowledge of meteorological parameters in the region 30,000 to 45,000 feet has come about in recent years as a result of rapidly growing jet aircraft operations. This paper discusses one of these parameters, the height of the level of maximum winds, which affords considerable aid to the flight planner in his selection of preferred flight altitudes and routes. The deviations of the level of maximum winds from the tropopause are discussed and graphically shown, indicating that the latter is not a satisfactory first approximation to height of the former. This fact gives rise to the development of a series of simple and multiple regression equations for determining the height of the level of maximum winds as a function of both the tropopause and the 300-millibar heights. Professor Robert J. Renard of the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School has been the guiding force behind this investigation. For his time and effort, the writer is deeply indebted.