Evapotranspiration measurements were taken at 14 locations across North Carolina using an ETgage that allows distilled water to evaporate through a waterproof surface. Equivalent surface turbulent latent heat fluxes were derived from evapotranspiration values. Variations in latent heat flux and evapotranspiration were analysed across North Carolina to investigate its dependence on soil type, land use and initial soil moisture. The Sandhills region experiences the largest amount of evapotranspiration in the state with the mountain region having the least. Estimations of latent heat flux using Priestley-Taylor and Penman-Monteith methods are compared with observations.

A mesoscale numerical simulation was performed for the period, 00Z August 14, 2003 to 00Z August 16, 2003. Penman-Monteith and Priestley-Taylor methods of obtaining latent heat flux were applied using simulated atmospheric parameters and compared with observations. Priestley-Taylor method appears to have a higher degree of accuracy as compared to Penman-Monteith method at the selected locations across the state.