Composite diabatic subsidence rates in the subtropical upper troposphere are derived using water vapor measurements of high vertical resolution from SAGE II in conjunction with collocated ECMWF reanalysis. Their relationship with the concentration of upper tropospheric water vapor is examined. The mean vertical profiles of subsidence rate show a monotonic increase in downward mass flux from the tropopause down to at least 400 mb reaching a magnitude of 22 mb day-1. This vertical structure of subsidence suggests horizontal mass convergence and horizontal moisture transport at all levels above 400 mb. Seasonal variation of upper tropospheric subsidence is also presented. ¿ 1998 American Geophysical Union