DETERMINATION OF THE NORMAL REGIONS OF HEATING AND COOLING IN THE ATMOSPHERE BY MEANS OF AEROLOGICAL DATA

Abstract

By use of the normal February values of pressure at sea level and at 10,000 feet, the mean isotherms and the ?mean? isobars for this layer are computed and plotted on a weather chart. Assuming that the normal mean isotherms are stationary, and that the air blows across them, it is possible to locate those regions where the layer of air from sea level to 10,000 feet acquires heat or loses heat. The regions of largest heat accumulation are found off the east coast of North America and Asia, in agreement with results reached earlier by Jacobs, who used entirely different data, as well as a different method of analysis. The large area of heating found over the eastern portion of North America is believed to originate from dynamic heating of the air caused by subsidence of the polar air masses, while the region of heating found off the Atlantic coast is believed to be due to the upward transport of heat from the sea surface. The pattern from the east coast of Asia to Europe appears to be composed of alternating regions of heat gain and heat loss.