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The surface energy budget
Nighttime fluxes
During the night, midnight to 3 AM, there is very little energy stored in the land. Therefore, the sensible and latent heat fluxes from most of the land is close to zero. However, the oceans store the energy that they absorb during the day and when it is warm. In January, there are strong flows of heat and moisture from the ocean to the atmosphere to the south and west of Greenland. This is because there is a large temperature difference between the relatively warm waters of the Gulf Stream along the east coast of America and the cold, dry air coming off the North American continent.
In July, the temperature and moisture gradients are reduced because the summer air is warmer and more moist. Therefore, the flow of moisture from the oceans to the atmosphere is actually less in July than it was in January, and the sensible heat flux is close to zero.
Next page -> how are we changing the surface energy budget?
Links and resources
Nighttime fluxes
During the night, midnight to 3 AM, there is very little energy stored in the land. Therefore, the sensible and latent heat fluxes from most of the land is close to zero. However, the oceans store the energy that they absorb during the day and when it is warm. In January, there are strong flows of heat and moisture from the ocean to the atmosphere to the south and west of Greenland. This is because there is a large temperature difference between the relatively warm waters of the Gulf Stream along the east coast of America and the cold, dry air coming off the North American continent.
In July, the temperature and moisture gradients are reduced because the summer air is warmer and more moist. Therefore, the flow of moisture from the oceans to the atmosphere is actually less in July than it was in January, and the sensible heat flux is close to zero.
Next page -> how are we changing the surface energy budget?
Links and resources
