ESS227
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Potential Temperature (q)
qThe potential temperature of
an air parcel is defined as the the temperature the parcel would
have if it were moved adiabatically from its existing pressure and
temperature to a standard pressure P0 (generally
taken as 1000mb).
q=
potential temperature
T
= original temperature
P
= original pressure
P0 = standard pressure = 1000 mb
R
= gas constant = Rd = 287 J
deg-1 kg-1
Cp = specific heat = 1004 J deg-1 kg-1
R/Cp = 0.286
