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Meteorological overview of the Arctic Boundary Layer Expedition (ABLE 3A) flight seriesA meteorological overview of the Arctic Boundary Layer Expedition (ABLE 3A) flight series is presented. Synoptic analyses of mid-tropospheric circulation patterns are combined with isentropic back trajectory calculations to describe the long-range (400-3000 km) atmospheric transport mechanisms and pathways of air masses to the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of North America during July and August 1988. Siberia and the northern Pacific Ocean were found to be the two most likely source areas for 3-day transport to the study areas in Alaska. Transport to the Barrow region was frequently influenced by polar vortices and associated short-wave troughs over the Arctic Ocean, while the Bethel area was most often affected by lows migrating across the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska, as well as ridges of high pressure which built into interior Alaska. July 1988 was warmer and dryer than normal over much of Alaska. As a result, the 1988 Alaska fire season was one of the most active of the past decade. Airborne lidar measurements verified the presence of biomass burning plumes on many flights, often trapped in thin subsidence layer temperature inversions. Several cases of stratosphere/troposphere exchange were noted, based upon potential vorticity analyses and aircraft lidar data, especially in the Barrow region and during transit flights to and from Alaska.
Document ID
19930032530
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Shipham, Mark C.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Bachmeier, A. S.
(Lockheed Engineering & Sciences Co. Hampton, VA, United States)
Cahoon, Donald R., Jr.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Browell, Edward V.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
October 30, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 97
Issue: D15
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
93A16527
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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