What question did this study set out to answer?

Develop and evaluate a thermodynamic model to simulate the post-sunrise breakup of nocturnal temperature inversions in complex valley topography.

March 1, 1982Journal of applied meteorology

Breakup of Temperature Inversions in Deep Mountain Valleys: Part II. Thermodynamic Model

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

CWC. David WhitemanUniversity of Utah TMThomas B. McKeeOregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Thermodynamic modeling demonstrates the evolution of nocturnal temperature inversion breakup in mountain valleys, highlighting the governing role of topography and surface heating.

Key Points

Develop and evaluate a thermodynamic model to simulate the post-sunrise breakup of nocturnal temperature inversions in complex valley topography.
Formulated a thermodynamic framework driven by valley floor width, sidewall slope angles, sunrise inversion metrics, and solar-derived sensible heat flux.
Numerically integrated governing equations to track convective boundary layer growth, inversion top height, and vertical potential temperature profiles.
Calibrated model parameters for surface energy partitioning and tested performance against seasonal atmospheric measurements from Colorado's Eagle and Yampa Valleys.
The model successfully reproduced the three distinct patterns of temperature structure evolution observed during inversion breakup in deep valleys.
Flat terrain inversion destruction was verified as an analytical special case where valley floor width approaches infinity.
Calibrating two constants governing surface energy partitioning enabled accurate simulation of potential temperature profiles and precise timing of inversion destruction.

Cite This Study

Whiteman et al. (1982) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7dea32d0946debe9150747 https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(1982)021<0290:botiid>2.0.co;2

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Thermodynamic modeling demonstrates the evolution of nocturnal temperature inversion breakup in mountain valleys, highlighting the governing role of topography and surface heating.

Breakup of Temperature Inversions in Deep Mountain Valleys: Part II. Thermodynamic Model

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Breakup of Temperature Inversions in Deep Mountain Valleys: Part II. Thermodynamic Model

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider