Evolution of Elevated Stratified Layers During Vtmx

A suite of instrumentation including a minisodar, a low-frequency, single-axis sodar, a wind profiling radar and a tethersonde was used during the Vertical Transport and Mixing field study in Salt Lake City, UT, USA, to study the evolution and dynamics of stratified layers that commonly develop during nighttime. The month-long field study provided ten nights with good conditions for tethersonde flights. The real-time sodar display was used to place the tethersonde within and near the stratified layers and to make multiple transects, while atmospheric temperature, moisture, wind speed and wind direction were measured. Not surprisingly, the existence of layers with enhanced acoustic scattering correlated well with regions of potential temperature inversions; however, because wind speeds were invariably low, the Richardson number was rarely less than 0.25. The possible role of moisture in the dynamics of elevated stable layer is discussed.