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Observations of atmospheric boundary layer temperature profiles with a small unmanned aerial vehicle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2013

John J. Cassano
John J. Cassano*
Affiliation:
Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, 216 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
*
john.cassano@colorado.edu
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Abstract

Small Unmanned Meteorological Observer (SUMO) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were used to observe atmospheric boundary layer temperature profiles in the vicinity of McMurdo Station, Antarctica during January and September 2012. The observations from four flight days are shown and exhibit a variety of boundary layer temperature profiles ranging from deep, well-mixed conditions to strong, shallow inversions. Repeat UAV profiles over short periods of time (tens of minutes to several hours) revealed rapid changes in boundary layer structure. The success of the SUMO flights described here demonstrates the potential for using small UAVs for Antarctic research.

Keywords

Antarcticaatmosphereclimatemeteorologyremotely piloted aircraft (RPA)unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
Type
Physical Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 26 , Issue 2 , April 2014 , pp. 205 - 213
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2013 

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