EQUIVALENT POTENTIAL TEMPERATURE AS A MEASURE OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE TROPICAL ATMOSPHERE.

Soundings of the tropical atmosphere over the ocean and a small island are presented in terms of equivalent potential temperature. This quantity is shown to closely equal the total static energy. Vertical and temporal variations of total energy agree with subjectively and objectively determined periods of organized disturbances. Some diurnal variations and some differences between island and ocean soundings are shown. The characteristic mid-tropospheric minima in total energy nearly vanishes in synoptic disturbances and is intensified during periods of undisturbed weather. Increases in total energy are examined in terms of simple mixing but protected towers must be called upon as the primary mechanism. The results emphasize the role of synoptic scale disturbances in planetary energetics. Low values of total energy must be due to diabatic processes such as radiation. Mention is made of future work designed to answer questions raised. Author