Parameterization of the vertical flux of latent heat at the earth's surface for use in statistical-dynamical climate models

  • B. Saltzman
Article
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Summary

A formula is developed expressing the vertical flux of latent heat at a saturated point of the earth's surface (e. g., ocean, or a Piche evaporimeter on land),H s (4P)↑ , as a function of surface temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and the vertical flux of sensible heat. The formula generalizes and improves upon one applied in several statistical-dynamical climate models.

Using the formula, the fields ofH s (4P)↑ , for January and July conditions of the Northern Hemisphere, are calculated from observational data and Budyko's estimates of the vertical sensible heat flux, assuming a uniform surface wind speed. Comparison of these calculated fields with Budyko's independent estimates of the actual latent heat flux,H s (4)↑ , show good agreement over oceans whereH s (4P)↑ ≡H s (4)↑ . Over land, estimates of the “water availability” factor,w=H s (4)↑ /H s (4P)↑ for representative physiogeographic locations in the United States are obtained, and an empirical relation betweenw and an estimate of the moisture detained in the surface is determined.

Keywords

Heat Flux Wind Speed Northern Hemisphere Latent Heat Water Availability 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Parameterisierung des vertikalen Stromes der latenten Wärme an der Erdoberfläche zur Anwendung in statistisch-dynamischen Klimamodellen

Zusammenfassung

Der vertikale Strom latenter Wärme an einem gesättigten Punkt der Erdoberfläche (z. B. die Meeresoberfläche oder ein Piche-Evaporimeter an Land),H s (4P)↑ , wird in Form einer Gleichung als Funktion der Oberflächentemperatur des Bodens, der relativen Feuchte, der Windgeschwindigkeit und des vertikalen Stromes der sensiblen Wärme ausgedrückt.

Mittels dieser Gleichung wurden die Felder fürH s (4P)↑ für Januar und Juli in der Nordhemisphäre unter Verwendung von Beobachtungsdaten und von Budyko's Abschätzungen des sensiblen Wärmestromes ausgewertet, wobei eine einheitliche Bodengeschwindigkeit angenommen wurde. Vergleicht man diese berechneten Felder mit Budyko's unabhängigen Abschätzungen des tatsächlichen latenten Wärmestromes,H s (4)↑ , so ergibt sich über den Ozeanen gute Übereinstimmung, wobeiH s (4P)↑ ≡H s (4)↑ . Über Land wurden Abschätzungen des “Wasserverfügbarkeitsfaktors”,w=H s (4)↑ /H s (4P)↑ für repräsentative physiogeographische Orte in den Vereinigten Staaten erhalten. Eine empirische Relation zwischenw und einer Schätzung der im Boden gespeicherten Feuchte wurde auf diese Weise bestimmt.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1980

Authors and Affiliations

  • B. Saltzman
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Geology and GeophysicsYale UniversityNew HavenUSA

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