Sigma-theta: Difference between revisions
From Glossary of Meteorology
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<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">(Used in [[physical oceanography]], symbol ''σ<sub>θ</sub>''.) The [[density]] ''ρ'' (<1000 kg m<sup>−3</sup>) that a [[parcel]] of water of [[salinity]] ''S'' and [[temperature]] ''T'' would have if it were raised [[adiabatic process|adiabatically]] to the sea surface, where its [[temperature]] would change from ''T'' to [[potential temperature]] ''θ'' due to [[adiabatic]] decompression. In symbols,</div><br/> <div class="paragraph"><div class="display-formula"><blockquote>[[File:sigma-theta-ocean.gif|link=|center|sigma-theta-ocean]]</blockquote></div></div><br/></div> | <div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">(Used in [[physical oceanography]], symbol ''σ<sub>θ</sub>''.) The [[density]] ''ρ'' (<1000 kg m<sup>−3</sup>) that a [[parcel]] of water of [[salinity]] ''S'' and [[temperature]] ''T'' would have if it were raised [[adiabatic process|adiabatically]] to the sea surface, where its [[temperature]] would change from ''T'' to [[potential temperature]] ''θ'' due to [[adiabatic]] decompression. In symbols,</div><br/> <div class="paragraph"><div class="display-formula"><blockquote>[[File:sigma-theta-ocean.gif|link=|center|sigma-theta-ocean]]</blockquote></div></div><br/></div> | ||
(Used in [[meteorology]], symbol ''θ<sub>σ</sub>''.) The [[standard deviation]] of horizontal [[wind direction]] used primarily in [[air pollution]] applications. Sigma-theta can either be computed directly from measured wind direction or | (Used in [[meteorology]], symbol ''θ<sub>σ</sub>''.) The [[standard deviation]] of horizontal [[wind direction]] used primarily in [[air pollution]] applications. Sigma-theta can either be computed directly from measured wind direction or with the [[Yamartino method]]. Sigma-theta is used as a proxy to characterize the [[dispersion]] capabilities of the lower [[troposphere]] in the [[Pasquill-Gifford categories]]. The Yarmartino method is given by:</div><br/> <div class="paragraph"><div class="display-formula"><blockquote>[[File:sigma-theta-atmos.gif|link=|left|sigma-theta-atmos]]</blockquote></div></div><br/> | ||
where ''s<sub>a</sub>'' = (1/''n'')Σ<sub>''i''</sub>sin''θ<sub>i</sub>'' and ''c<sub>a</sub>'' = (1/''n'')Σ<sub>''i''</sub>cos''θ<sub>i</sub>'' are computed from a sequence of ''n'' wind angle (''θ<sub>i</sub>'') measurements.<br/> | |||
<p>''Term edited 9 April 2018.''</p> | <p>''Term edited 9 April 2018.''</p> | ||
Revision as of 09:43, 9 April 2018
sigma-theta
(Used in physical oceanography, symbol σθ.) The density ρ (<1000 kg m−3) that a parcel of water of salinity S and temperature T would have if it were raised adiabatically to the sea surface, where its temperature would change from T to potential temperature θ due to adiabatic decompression. In symbols,
where sa = (1/n)Σisinθi and ca = (1/n)Σicosθi are computed from a sequence of n wind angle (θi) measurements.
Term edited 9 April 2018.
