Assessment of Mixing Height at Qena/Upper Egypt Based on Radiosonde Data

Radiosonde and surface meteorological data have been carried out in south valley university meteorological station at Qena / upper Egypt for estimation of maximum and minimum mixing height MH during the periods (2006 - 2008) and (October 2004 - September 2005), respectively. The effect of some meteorological parameters such as temperature (T 0C), wind speed (WS m/s), and relative humidity (RH%) on maximum MH has been studied. It is found that average daily maximum MH ranges from (700 m) to (2367 m) in winter, and from (567 m) to (2700 m) in autumn and from (1133 m) to (4860 m) in spring, and from (1200 m) to (3750 m) in summer. Seasonal average value of maximum MH reaches its maximum (2425 m and 2481 m) during spring and summer, respectively, while, it attains its minimum ( 1418 m and 1504 m) during winter and autumn, respectively. Minimum MH has generally a value between 100 and 200 m. Seasonal average of minimum MH is characterized by small fluctuation. Where, it varies from (166 m and 197 m) during spring and summer, respectively to (161 m and 173 m) during winter and autumn, respectively. Monthly averages of maximum MH is associated forwardly with T and WS and associated backwardly with RH. A model relates monthly average values of maximum MH at afternoon with T, WS and RH has been constructed and can be used locally for estimation of monthly average MH.