Assessment of Mixing Height at Qena/Upper Egypt Based on Radiosonde Data

Abstract

Radiosonde and surface meteorological data have been carried out in south valley university meteorological station at Qena / upper Egypt for estimation of maximu m and minimu m mixing height MH during the periods (2006 -2008) and (October 2004 -September 2005), respectively. The effect of some meteorological parameters such as temperature (T 0 C), wind speed (WS m/s), and relat ive humidity (RH%) on maximu m M H has been studied. It is found that average daily maximu m MH ranges fro m (700 m) to (2367 m) in winter, and fro m (567 m) to (2700 m) in autumn and fro m (1133 m) to (4860 m) in spring, and fro m (1200 m) to (3750 m) in su mmer. Seasonal average value of maximu m MH reaches its maximu m (2425 m and 2481 m) during spring and summer, respectively, while, it attains its minimu m (1418 m and 1504 m) during winter and autu mn, respectively. M inimu m M H has generally a value between 100 and 200 m. Seasonal average of minimu m MH is characterized by small fluctuation. Where, it varies fro m (166 m and 197 m) during spring and summer, respectively to (161 m and 173 m) during winter and autumn, respectively. Monthly averages of maximu m M H is associated forwardly with T and WS and associated backwardly with RH. A model relates monthly average values of maximu m M H at afternoon with T, WS and RH has been constructed and can be used locally for estimation of monthly average MH.