Characteristics of the subsidence inversion over the eastern North Pacific Ocean north of the 48th parallel

• Main Author: Lilly, Kenneth E. Jr
• Other Authors: Peterson, Ernest W.
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Temperature inversions
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1957/28879

Average characteristics of subsidence inversions associated with the Pacific High have only been documented for areas along the U.S. West Coast and over the tropical eastern North Pacific Ocean. This study, which is based on 3414 upper-air soundings for June through September of 1964 and 1965, shows the average summer season characteristics of the inversion from Tatoosh Island, Washington northward along the coast of the Gulf of Alaska. A comparison is also made with the subsidence inversion found over the eastern North Pacific Ocean from Johnston Island (17°N, 168.5°W) to Ocean Station PAPA (50°N, 145°W). Some of the more notable findings are: (a) a diurnal oscillation of the height of the inversion base exists, except in the regions of Yakutat and Anchorage, Alaska; (b) the height of the inversion increases with increasing latitude from Tatoosh Island to Anchorage; (c) the inversion thickness decreases from Tatoosh Island to Anchorage; (d) subsidence inversions are most pronounced over the California coast compared to any other location between Johnston Island and Anchorage. === Graduation date: 1978