Analysis of Time Variations in Relative Humidity around a Water Area Using Bowen Ratio

The time variations in relative humidity observed at the Gangjeong (Goryeong) Reservoir in the Nakdong River over a one-year period (September 2012-August 2013) were analyzed with the Bowen ratio. The thermal vertical scale of the reservoir was also evaluated following Yamamoto's method. The study's results showed that the relative humidity at the reservoir was higher than that of the Daegu Meteorological Observatory (inland) all year round. The difference was slightly larger at nighttime (17-20 %) than at daytime (13-15 %) in all seasons except summer. The quantitative order of latent heat flux was summer, spring, autumn, and winter. This finding signifies that the thermal vertical scale of the reservoir corresponds to that of a shallow lake. The Bowen ratio was smallest at midday of the summer season. In other words, the net radiation energy was converted more as latent heat flux than sensible heat flux during a higher temperature period.