Some studies on moisture conditions in the Southern Hemisphere

Abstract

Vertical cross-sections of the seasonal mean atmospheric humidity conditions on a planetary scale for the Southern Hemisphere are presented. The fields of mean precipitable water content are analysed for the four seasons of the year. Zonally averaged values of the various quantities at several levels are presented and compared, wherever possible, with previous results. The structure of these fields in association with general circulation patterns of the atmosphere is discussed. Precipitation efficiencies for the three continents, South America, Africa and Australia are estimated. Vertical cross-sections of atmospheric cooling rates for January and July are presented. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1980.tb00941.x