Mixed Layer Moisture structure

Abstract

Radiosonde data from the National Hail Research Experiment and the Wangara experiment are examined to study vertical gradients of moisture in heated boundary layers which are well-mixed in virtual potential temperature. The frequent occurrence of a significant decrease of moisture with height in the mixed layer over the high plains region of the United States seems to be related in part to rapid growth of the mixed layer into very dry air aloft and/or height variations of horizontal advection of moisture. However, the exact cause cannot be unambiguously determined from the data.