Atmospheric Soundings Results

Overview | Results

Summer atmospheric soundings during the KESS cruise captured sharp marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) transitions across the KE front.  Under southerly conditions, the MABL stabilized as warm, humid subtropical air moved across the KE front.  A surface inversion and a thick fog layer formed.  While the southerlies prevail during summer, northerly winds were occasionally observed when the Baiu rain band was displaced south of the KE.  Under northerly conditions, a mixed layer developed capped by stratocumulus clouds with elevated base.


Source: Tokinaga, H., S. P. Xie, F. Kobashi, and Y. Tanimoto, 2009: Local and remote influences of the Kuroshio Extension on the atmosphere.  U.S. CLIVAR Variations,  Vol. 7(1), pp. 1-4