The Trade Wind Inversion at the Slopes of Mauna Loa, Hawaii

Abstract

Measurements were taken along the east slopes of Mauna Loa, Hawaii, to determine whether the normally present trade wind inversion reaches the mountain and whether its properties there are similar to those over the ocean. Temperature, mixing ratio and condensation nuclei concentration profiles were measured and plotted to study the properties of the air along the slopes, especially at altitudes where the radiosonde observations indicated an inversion. This inversion, along with its properties in the free atmosphere, has been detected at the surface of the mountain and is particularly pronounced in the early morning. Its properties there correspond closely with those in the free air.