This paper discusses the observational evidence for and the probable causes of the large diurnal variability of the atmosphere over the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) region of the tropical eastern Atlantic Ocean.
The sensitivity of mesoscale features with respect to large scale tropical profiles of wind and temperature and to small scale parameterizations is investigated through a linear, spectral, non-hydrostatic model.
A dynamical forecast model is applied to study the moisture variation in the planetary boundary layer under the chosen synoptic condition. The observed 12-hour moisture patterns are compared with the forecast patterns.
During the 1960's experimental and operational meteorological satellites carrying thermistor bolometer sensors were in orbit during about 60 months. Our paper presents a synopsis of results from these measurements.