Heat and Moisture Budget Analyses Using BOMEX Data

Abstract

Large-scale heat and moisture budgets over the tropical Atlantic Ocean are examined during Phase 3 (22?30 June 1969) of the Barbados Oceanographic and Meteorological Experiment (BOMEX). From the satellite cloud photographs of ATS-3, the analyzed period is subdivided into an undisturbed part and a disturbed part. During the undisturbed period, downward motion predominates from the surface to about 500 mb and a large apparent heat sink and apparent moisture source are found near the top of the trade inversion layer. The upward heat flux due to cumulus clouds is confined below the 700-mb level. On the other hand during the relatively disturbed period, upward motion takes place at low levels and the heat flux due to cumulus convection extends to at least 500 mb. Values of the total heat flux estimated by large-scale budgets agree well with those obtained independently by bulk aerodynamic computations.