Similarity functions in the tropical marine boundary layer

Abstract

Mean profiles ofvirtual potential temperature, specific humidity, and the wind velocity components are obtained from aircraft data taken during the NORPAX trans-equatorial shuttle over the Pacific Ocean. The resulting parameters are used to calculate the similarity functions A, B, C, and D. These agree well with similarity functions obtained for the tropical Atlantic Ocean using GATE data (Fitzjarrald and Garstang, 1981). The similarity function A for wind speed over the tropical oceans is in good agreement with values obtained over land at higher latitudes. The tropical temperature and humidity functions, C and D, are lower than those obtained at higher latitudes, becoming negative as h/( -L) --f 0.