A case study of mixing-height variations in the toronto area

Abstract

The variation of mixing height in the Toronto area is investigated using data from 3 rawinsonde stations which made special observations at 2-hourly intervals during 9 days in December 1970. The afternoon maximum mixing heights were estimated in two ways: (a) from the sequence of rawinsondc flights; (b) from the 1200 GMT sounding and the afternoon maximum surface temperature (the standard method applied to the synoptic twice-a-day network of rawinsonde stations across North America). A comparison of the two estimates reveals considerable scatter, presumably due to mesometeorological variations and advection effects. Also included in this note is a description of a case of doming of the early morning mixed layer over downtown Toronto. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.