An Analysis of the Atmospheric Heat Budget

Abstract

With the aid of recent climatological data and laboratory radiation data, a meridional heat budget has been formed for the atmosphere below the 25-mb level and between 2ON and 7ON latitude. The significant components and balance requirements of the budget are presented as a function of height, latitude and season. Components of the budget include infrared radiative cooling, solar heating, net latent beating, the heat flux across the lower boundary, and the rate of heat storage. Balance requirements are those demanded solely of the atmospheric motions. Each item of the budget is discussed and some comparisons with related studies are included. Although the heat sources produced an extensive lower layer of excessive heating, except in the arctic winter region, the total atmospheric columns revealed thermal deficits almost everywhere within the model. The convergences of the large-scale eddy heat transports determined by other investigators are sufficient to balance the deficits north of 50N latitude. Heat transports by mean meridional motions must become important balancing agents in the sub-tropical latitudes of the model, especially in winter.