Microstructure of Temperature Fields in the Free Atmosphere

Abstract

The data on the variation of the structure characteristics of the temperature field C T 2 in the free atmosphere have been obtained at heights from 50 to 4000 meters. The aircraft instrument measurements were made in summer during the day and night and under different synoptic conditions above the steppe and the sea. It has been shown that under the condition of a developed convection, C T 2 decreases with the height as Z −4/3 . For other conditions an averaged dependence of C T 2 on height was obtained. For the case of a stable stratification, the dependence of C T 2 on the gradient of the potential temperature is shown. Cumulus cloudiness exerts a strong influence on the height variation of C T 2 . Above the sea C T 2 changes little either day or night. At night above the steppe, however, C T 2 increases with height.