Vertical Structure of Moisture Content over Europe
The vertical structure of water vapor content in the atmosphere strongly affects the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface and processes associated with the formation of clouds and atmospheric precipitation. The purpose of this study was to assess the vertical differentiation of wat...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2018-01-01
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| Series: | Advances in Meteorology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/3940503 |
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| author | Agnieszka Wypych Bogdan Bochenek |
| author_facet | Agnieszka Wypych Bogdan Bochenek |
| author_sort | Agnieszka Wypych |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The vertical structure of water vapor content in the atmosphere strongly affects the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface and processes associated with the formation of clouds and atmospheric precipitation. The purpose of this study was to assess the vertical differentiation of water vapor over Europe on a seasonal basis and also to evaluate the role of atmospheric circulation in changes therein. Daily values of specific humidity (SHUM) for the time period 1981–2015 were obtained from pressure levels available from ECMWF Era-Interim reanalysis data and used in the study. Eight grid points were analyzed in detail. Each point is representative of a region with different moisture conditions. SHUM profiles were then used to identify cases of moisture inversion. Horizontal flux of specific humidity (SHUMF) was analyzed for principal pressure levels that occur in both inversion-type and inversion-free situations. In addition, SHUM and SHUMF anomalies were identified for advection directions. The research results showed the existence of differences in the vertical structure of water vapor content in the troposphere over Europe, and the Northeastern Atlantic and the presence of moisture inversions not only in areas north of 60°N but also in temperate and subtropical zones. Inversions can occur in two different forms—surface-based and elevated. The occurrence of inversions varies with the seasons. The role of atmospheric circulation is observable in the winter and triggers both surpluses and shortages of moisture via the effect of specific pressure system types (significant role of seasonal pressure high) and via advection directions. In addition, there exists a clear difference between the structure of moisture in the atmospheric boundary layer and in the free atmosphere. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ddca3bae76f745ca9950ac3d205e7b41 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-9309 1687-9317 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| series | Advances in Meteorology |
| spelling | doaj-art-ddca3bae76f745ca9950ac3d205e7b412025-08-20T03:26:21ZengWileyAdvances in Meteorology1687-93091687-93172018-01-01201810.1155/2018/39405033940503Vertical Structure of Moisture Content over EuropeAgnieszka Wypych0Bogdan Bochenek1Jagiellonian University, 7 Gronostajowa St., 30-387 Krakow, PolandInstitute of Meteorology and Water Management—National Research Institute, 14 Piotra Borowego St., 30-215 Krakow, PolandThe vertical structure of water vapor content in the atmosphere strongly affects the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface and processes associated with the formation of clouds and atmospheric precipitation. The purpose of this study was to assess the vertical differentiation of water vapor over Europe on a seasonal basis and also to evaluate the role of atmospheric circulation in changes therein. Daily values of specific humidity (SHUM) for the time period 1981–2015 were obtained from pressure levels available from ECMWF Era-Interim reanalysis data and used in the study. Eight grid points were analyzed in detail. Each point is representative of a region with different moisture conditions. SHUM profiles were then used to identify cases of moisture inversion. Horizontal flux of specific humidity (SHUMF) was analyzed for principal pressure levels that occur in both inversion-type and inversion-free situations. In addition, SHUM and SHUMF anomalies were identified for advection directions. The research results showed the existence of differences in the vertical structure of water vapor content in the troposphere over Europe, and the Northeastern Atlantic and the presence of moisture inversions not only in areas north of 60°N but also in temperate and subtropical zones. Inversions can occur in two different forms—surface-based and elevated. The occurrence of inversions varies with the seasons. The role of atmospheric circulation is observable in the winter and triggers both surpluses and shortages of moisture via the effect of specific pressure system types (significant role of seasonal pressure high) and via advection directions. In addition, there exists a clear difference between the structure of moisture in the atmospheric boundary layer and in the free atmosphere.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/3940503 |
| spellingShingle | Agnieszka Wypych Bogdan Bochenek Vertical Structure of Moisture Content over Europe Advances in Meteorology |
| title | Vertical Structure of Moisture Content over Europe |
| title_full | Vertical Structure of Moisture Content over Europe |
| title_fullStr | Vertical Structure of Moisture Content over Europe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vertical Structure of Moisture Content over Europe |
| title_short | Vertical Structure of Moisture Content over Europe |
| title_sort | vertical structure of moisture content over europe |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/3940503 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT agnieszkawypych verticalstructureofmoisturecontentovereurope AT bogdanbochenek verticalstructureofmoisturecontentovereurope |