Measured turbulent heat transfer on the northern slope of Mt. Everest and its relation to the south Asian summer monsoon

Abstract

To understand the heat exchange processes in the Tibetan mountains, the near surface turbulent heat transfers are analyzed based on the observations in the Rongbuk Valley on the northern slope of Mt. Everest during the HEST2006 campaign from June 1 to 29, 2006. The turbulent heat transfers are directed from the surface to the atmosphere in this valley. The averaged total heat flux is 102.1 W/m2, with a Bowen ratio of 2.17. This heat transfers are closely related to the south Asian summer monsoon (SASM) activities, with a large flux of 129.2 W/m2 during the SASM break period and a small flux of 79.8 W/m2 during the active period. The difference between the heat transfers of the two SASM periods is mainly caused by the enlarged sensible heat transfer in the SASM break period.