Description
Return hypsometric layer thickness.
Atmospheric state formulas depend on absolute temperature, pressure reference, water mass/volume bases and layer assumptions. Local adiabatic, hydrostatic or precipitation terms can illustrate a supplied model without reconstructing an actual profile, validating an instrument or predicting weather hazards.
Return hypsometric layer thickness.
When to use this tool
Use Hypsometric Mean Virtual Temperature Factor when checking the stated atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity or water-basis term.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter gasConstant, virtualTemperature, gravity, lowerPressure, upperPressure. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read thickness. Use the output convention below.
Return hypsometric layer thickness. Require positive gasConstant, virtualTemperature, gravity and pressures; thickness = R*Tv/g*ln(lowerPressure/upperPressure).1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| gasConstant | Specific dry-air gas constant, J/(kg K) for SI thickness in metres. | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| virtualTemperature | Positive appropriate layer-mean virtual temperature in kelvins. | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| gravity | Gravity | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| lowerPressure | Lower Pressure | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| upperPressure | Upper Pressure | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| thickness | Thickness | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"gasConstant": 287,
"virtualTemperature": 280,
"gravity": 10,
"lowerPressure": 100000,
"upperPressure": 50000
},
"output": {
"thickness": 5570.130742979721
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- R is specific dry-air gas constant and Tv a suitable layer mean; reversed pressures give signed negative thickness and no actual profile is integrated.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified observations and an appropriate complete thermodynamic/profile analysis with explicit units, references and moisture assumptions for meteorological conclusions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Atmospheric Science: Pressure Thickness Log Layer Mean
Return logarithmic mean pressure across a layer.
- Pressure Layer Log Midpoint
Return geometric midpoint pressure and signed logarithmic thickness.