Atmospheric Water Vapor Transport and the Water Balance of North America

Abstract The atmospheric water vapor flux divergence and certain aspects of the water balance of North America are investigated, using data from the period May 1, 1958–Apr. 30, 1963. The mean vertical distribution of flux divergence is computed for the United States for the months of January (1962, 1963) and July (1961, 1962). Strong flux convergence in the lowest kilometer and divergence in the remainder of the troposphere were found in July. Flux convergence was found throughout the troposphere over the eastern half of the area in January, with a maximum between 900 and 950 mb.; while in the west, convergence (with no particularly pronounced maximum) was found above 800 mb., with weak divergence below. Corresponding features of the profiles were found at higher elevations over the west, where the flux divergence above 500 mb. is quite significant. Particular emphasis is placed on computation of the vertically integrated flux divergence, and its use in estimating P-E, the mean difference between precipit...

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