Cross tropopause flux observed at sub-daily scales over the south Indian monsoon regions

• Published in: Atmospheric research 2018-03, Vol.201, p.72-85
• Main Authors: Hemanth Kumar, A., Venkat Ratnam, M., Sunilkumar, S.V., Parameswaran, K., Krishna Murthy, B.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Convection; Cross tropopause flux; STE processes; Tropopause
• ISSN: 0169-8095; 1873-2895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2017.10.017

The effect of deep convection on the thermal structure and dynamics of the tropical tropopause at sub daily scales is investigated using data from radiosondes launched over two sites in the Indian Monsoon region (Gadanki (13.5°N, 79.2°E) and Trivandrum (8.5°N, 76.9°E)) conducted between December 2010 and March 2014. The data from these soundings are classified into 5 convective categories based on the past, present and future cloudiness over the launching region after the radiosonde has reached tropopause altitude. They are denoted as category 1 (no convection), category 2 (convection may occur in any of the next 3h), category 3 (convection occurred prior 3h), category 4 (convection terminated within 3h of launching) and category 5 (convection persistent throughout the considered period). The anomalies from the background in temperature, relative humidity and wind speed are grouped into the aforementioned five different convective categories for both the stations. Cooling and moisture anomalies are found during the active convection (category 5). The horizontal wind speed showed a strong anomaly indicating the presence of synoptic scale features. Vertical wind obtained simultaneously from the MST radar over Gadanki clearly showed strong updraft during the active convection. The ozone profiles from ozonesondes launched during the same period are also segregated according to the above convective categories. During the active convection, high and low ozone values are found in the upper troposphere and the lower troposphere, respectively. The cross tropopause ozone mass flux and vertical wind at the tropopause and convective outflow level estimated from the ozonesonde, and MST radar/ERA-Interim data showed positive values indicating the transport of ozone between troposphere and stratosphere during deep convection. Similarly, the total mass flux crossing the cold point tropopause over Gadanki showed upward flux during the active convection. The variability of the cross tropopause mass flux is found to be higher over Gadanki compared to Trivandrum. •The effect of deep convection on the tropopause at sub-daily scales is investigated.•Cooling and moistening anomalies are found during the active convection.•Vertical wind from the MST radar showed strong updraft during the active convection.•The cross tropopause ozone mass flux showed upward transport through deep convection.•The total mass flux crossing the tropopause showed upward during the active convection.