On The Computation of Equivalent Potential Temperature

Abstract

The computation of ?E, the pseudo-quivalent potential temperature, ordinarily omits the contribution due to specific heats of water vapor. This may he an acceptable practice for temperate-latitude usages but a questionable one when applied in the tropics where lower layers, rich in moisture, may he several; degrees warmer and the vertical gradient larger when this factor is included. An inexpensive method of computing ?E to include the beat capacities of water substance is presented aid the results compared with those derived from several tephigrams which ignore this contribution.