Global Energy and Moisture Budgets from Rawinsonde Data

Abstract

Vertically integrated budgets of moisture and energy for the global atmosphere are presented, based on the GFDL 10-year rawinsonde data analyses of Oort. The extratropical free atmospheric mean wind divergence is derived from vorticity balance, and mass balance is imposed. The results of data so modified are shown in the form of DJF and JJA maps of mean vertical velocity, evaporation minus precipitation, mean diabatic beating, total energy flux divergence and its potential. Also the annual poleward enemy transport are shown together with the implied oceanic transports. The results indicate that the procedure of getting divergent winds from vorticity balance works wed at mid-latitudes and produces budgets comparable to FGGE data estimates. The results for the tropics are free of any model assumptions such as convection schemes (which may influence data-assimilation scheme climates as is briefly discussed) but are quite sensitive to the lack of data over oceans.