This project will compile a climatological data set of the temperature structure of the lower troposphere north of 65 deg N latitude with particular emphasis on the boundary layer depth and temperature inversion strength. Existing temperature soundings will be collated to produce a homogeneous arctic-wide data base. The lower tropospheric temperature inversion that is characteristic of the arctic exerts a substantial influence on many aspects of coupled arctic air-sea-ice processes by affecting, for example, the energy and momentum exchange, trace gas and pollutant dispersion, ice crystal formation, and boundary layer ozone destruction. Given the fact that climatic models predict that trace gas induced warming will be most pronounced in polar regions, climate changes may be most easily detectable in secular changes in the structure of the boundary layer. An understanding of the spatial and temporal scales of the arctic boundary layer characteristics is central to a number of atmospheric processes. The primary goal is to establish a single comprehensive data set from which to develop a representative climatology of arctic temperature inversions and boundary layer parameters. Rawinsonde data from land stations, ships, and ice islands, as well as aircraft dropsonde data will be analyzed to determine spatial and temporal trends of such parameters as inversion depth, inversion base, and vertical gradients of wind, temperature, and humidity.
