THERMALS AT CENTRAL ANATOLIA

Abstract

By employing the measurements obtained during the flight of a glider which is well equipped with meteorological sensors, some information was obtained about the lower troposphere and in particular about the atmospheric boundary layer which may be extended up to 1500 meters due to thermal instability. Since these measurements were obtained in clear sky as well as in thermals and in the vicinity of clouds, it was possible to investigate the vertical and horizontal components of air velocity, relative humidity and temperature corrected for space and temporal variations. The influence of the development of convection have also been evaluated. The computed height profiles of the mixing ratio and the vertical component for the air velocity have shown a marked similarity. In addition, since it is essential to find thermals in the air in order for gliders to be soared a knowledge of the temporal variation of relative humidity can be used as a thermal indicator.