The diurnal variation in the depth of the convection layer

Abstract

Estimates of the depth of the convection layer made on the basis of early morning aircraft sounding on cloudless days or days with shallow cumulus are compared with the results of afternoon soundings and with heights reached by sailplanes, and the agreement is generally good.  The energy increment of the air column in the convection layer is shown to be about 80 per cent of the available net radiation.