Mobile Transects of Gulf of Mexico Coastal Environment

A vehicular observing platform is used to make mobile thermodynamic transects in varied Gulf of Mexico coastal environments. Cases from Mississippi and Texas include sea breeze fronts, cool season air masses, barrier island microclimate, and strong thunderstorms. Temperature, water vapor, and solar radiation measurements are interpreted in relation to satellite imagery, cloud photography, surface radiative temperatures, and standard synoptic observations. Comparisons are made with previous descriptions from field campaigns and modeling studies.