Abstract
SIR NAPIER SHAW has recently devised a method of plotting upper air temperatures in the form of a curve which he has named a tephigram (T-ø-gram). The curve is plotted on squared paper on which the abscissæ represent absolute temperature and the ordinates entropy or log potential temperature. The condition of a mass of dry air can be described as well by its temperature and potential temperature as by its temperature and pressure, and the tephigram in utilising this method has an advantage over the older form of pressure-temperature diagram in that the work which will be done by a sample of air in rising through any given environment when conditions are unstable is shown directly on the diagram as an area which may readily be measured by planimeter. Tephigrams are unfortunately somewhat difficult to comprehend at first sight, and are therefore unsuitable for presenting the results of upper air work to those who are not in close touch with the subject; but workers in this field of meteorology find that the graphs possess most of the advantages of the older pressure- (or height-) temperature diagram with the added advantage that, as explained above, they show the energy available from a sample of air placed in unstable surroundings at a glance.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
DINES, J. Plotting Upper Air Temperatures. Nature 116, 709 (1925). https://doi.org/10.1038/116709a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/116709a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.