A SIXTEEN-MONTH SERIES OF MID-STRATOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a series of daily high-altitude balloon soundings made in New Jersey. Temperature data were obtained to about 40 km in quantity suitable for statistical study. Seasonal mean temperature values, standard deviations, and lapse rates are presented. In addition, sine curves with a period of one year were fitted to the temperature data at separate levels. These showed that, at the higher altitudes the amplitude of the annual temperature curve increased with height toward the top of the measurements and the phase?given by the date of peak temperatures?receded with height. At 30 km, the date of peak temperature is coincident with the summer solstice, and at 40 km the temperature peaks one month before the summer solstice.