Turbulent heating and transfer in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere

The analysis of rocketsonde experimental data from 20 to 70 km altitude and from a latitude band 9.3 deg N to 76.6 N, grouped around longitude 78 deg W + or - 2.5 deg, results in the determination of the dynamically and statically unstable regions of the stratosphere and lower mesosphere. Richardson number normalization of the ratio of non-dimensional turbulent to mean parameters, allows us to extrapolate these results to the upper atmosphere. At the Richardson number (R sub i) indicated unstable regions, the steady state turbulent energy rate equation is solved, resulting in heat and momentum transfer coefficients, fluxes, and the rate of energy dissipation. Given contiguously unstable regions, the vertical heat and momentum flux divergences are also determined. Summer and winter averages of the results of these analyses are given. Keywords: Turbulence, Diffusivity, Transfer, Heating momentum, Latitude.