Publication Date

1991

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

ReVelle, Douglas O.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Geography

LCSH

Jet stream--Illinois

Abstract

An observational study was carried out during the Winter and Spring seasons of 1991 in an attempt to gain information on mid-latitude nocturnal low-level jets. Seasonal characteristics were analyzed. The source of data for this study included hourly single-pilot balloon launches. In addition, synoptic scale information was available through our campus-based weather office and the PC-MCIDAS, Unidata system. Observational periods were chosen on the basis of a series of quantitative criteria that attempted to ascertain the state of the planetary boundary layer and its ability to generate nocturnal jets locally. Finally, the multi-level nocturnal low-level jet model of ReVelle, Logsdon, and Liu (1990) was utilized to compare the observational data against a theoretical prediction of the planetary boundary layer winds. Theoretical options that were tested were: a) a time- independent barotropic mode, b) a time-dependent barotropic modes with geostrophic winds changing with periods of 17.9 hours (1 local inertial period) and 12 hours, c) a barotropic mode with advection terms, and, d) a baroclinic mode. A detailed quantitative comparison between our observations and theory is presented.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [157]-163)

Extent

xiii, 175 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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