Article Type:
Research Article

Diurnal Variation and Horizontal Extent of the Low-Level Jet over the Northern Gulf of California

Michael W. Douglas National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, Oklahoma

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Arturo Valdez-Manzanilla Instituto Mexicano de Tecnologia del Agua, Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico

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Rafael Garcia Cueto Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico

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Print Publication:
01 Jul 1998
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1998)126<2017:DVAHEO>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
2017–2025
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Abstract

This note describes aspects of the diurnal variation and geographical location of the summertime low-level jet over the Gulf of California, based on wind soundings made at two sites near the northern end of the gulf during a two-week summer field program in 1995. The low-level wind observations from Puerto Peñasco, a site along the northern shore of the gulf, showed a strong diurnal cycle decreasing in amplitude to near 0 by the 1800-m altitude. A weaker, but deeper diurnal cycle was observed at Mexicali, an inland site some 200 km west-northwest of Puerto Peñasco. The strongest winds were observed at the coastal site; the observations suggest that the strongest southerly winds in the northern gulf lie closer to the eastern shore of the gulf.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Michael W. Douglas, National Severe Storms Laboratory, 1313 Halley Circle, Norman, OK 73069.

Abstract

This note describes aspects of the diurnal variation and geographical location of the summertime low-level jet over the Gulf of California, based on wind soundings made at two sites near the northern end of the gulf during a two-week summer field program in 1995. The low-level wind observations from Puerto Peñasco, a site along the northern shore of the gulf, showed a strong diurnal cycle decreasing in amplitude to near 0 by the 1800-m altitude. A weaker, but deeper diurnal cycle was observed at Mexicali, an inland site some 200 km west-northwest of Puerto Peñasco. The strongest winds were observed at the coastal site; the observations suggest that the strongest southerly winds in the northern gulf lie closer to the eastern shore of the gulf.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Michael W. Douglas, National Severe Storms Laboratory, 1313 Halley Circle, Norman, OK 73069.

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