Antarctic atmospheric Richardson number from radiosonde measurements and AMPS

Abstract. Monitoring a wide range of atmospheric turbulence over the Antarctic continent is still tricky, while Richardson number (Ri; valuable parameter which determines possibility that could be triggered) easier to obtain. The Ri, calculated from potential temperature and wind speed, was investigated using daily results radiosoundings forecasts Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS). Radiosoundings for year at three sites (McMurdo – MM, South Pole SP, Dome C DC) were used quantify reliability AMPS forecasts. AMPS-forecasted Ri can identify main spatiotemporal characteristics region. correlation coefficients (Rxy) log 10(Ri) McMurdo, Pole, are 0.71, 0.59, 0.53, respectively. generally underestimated by better capture trend relatively unstable conditions. seasonal median along two vertical cross-sections presented, it shows some zones where highly triggered in Antarctica. distributions appear reasonably correlated large-scale phenomena or local-scale dynamics (katabatic winds, polar vortices, convection, gravity wave, etc.) plateau surrounding ocean. Finally, planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) their value 0.316. This value, turn, estimate PBLH agrees well with (Rxy>0.69). Overall, our suggest estimated reasonable conditions Antarctica revealed.