THERMIC POTENTIAL FOR SOARING AT INONU

Authors

  • Zafer Aslan
  • S. Orey
  • F. Turksoy

Keywords:

Meteorology, Atmospheric physics

Abstract

The vertical and regional variations of some meteorological parameters in a convective boundary layer have been experimentally and theoretically analyzed in this study. The convective activities which are observed in the convective boundary layer are of importance for gliding and also for other sportive flights. These convective activities are generally observed in two different kinds, as thermals and plumes. Thermals are individual air masses and continually rise from heated surfaces. Plumes are characterized by continuous sources of heated surfaces. Their initial radius may vary from ten meters to a few hundred meters. Their strength is directly proportional to radius. While ascending thermals experience turbulent lateral entrainment of surrounding air, their moisture content and temperature become modified. In order to describe this convection, vertical profiles of temperature, moisfure, and wind are needed. The profiles are changed by synoptic processes such as large scale subsidence or ascent, horizontal advection and convection itself.

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