Boundary-layer dynamics of the extremely arid northern part of Chile

A boundary-layer field experiment in the extremely arid northern part of Chile was carried out in July, 1970. Captive radiosonde data, pibal soundings and surface observations in a three-point zonal cross-section at 23 deg lat. S are analyzed. Evidence of a thermal response in the boundary-layer circulation and daytime subsidence enhancement is presented. Surface windspeeds seem to increase in the general upslope direction while wind components along the contour lines are apparent in the central strip, in accordance with earlier results for Pampa de la Joya, Peru.