ANNUAL VARIATIONS OF UPPER AIR WINDS AND TEMPERATURES IN ALASKA FROM ACOUSTICAL MEASUREMENTS

Abstract

A series of monthly acoustic tests has been made in interior Alaska to obtain upper air winds and temperatures and their variations during an entire season. Results of these tests show that a temperature maximum of 22 to 36 deg C exists at about 47 km during the summer months of June, July and August, with the winds between 10 and 47 km averaging about 10 m/sec from the easterly direction. Higher average winds from westerly to northerly directions prevailed during the winter months, with the maximum temperatures probably below 10 deg C, and at somewhat higher altitudes than were found during the summer months. An exception occurred during the tests in December, when higher temperatures were found, though still at winter altitudes.