Hurricane motion on a beta plane in an asymmetric balance model
Date
1996
Authors
Nicklas, Christopher T., author
Montgomery, Michael T., author
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
This work extends asymmetric balance theory (AB) to the shallow water beta plane (,6-AB). The physical problem studied is that of vortex motion on a beta plane in the absence of environmental steering flow. To reduce the problem to its essential physics, the mathematical formulation developed is restricted to purely linear dynamics. The linear dynamics precludes wave-wave and wave-mean-flow interactions. Vortices placed in the ,6-AB model correctly develop the wavenumber one asymmetries (the "beta" gyres) necessary for vortex self-advection. The vortices move in a northwest direction consistent with their relative strengths. Finite drift speeds are reached in all cases. Both the ,6-AB model and a linear barotropic nondivergent model are used to investigate the existence of a translating normal mode of zero frequency. If such a mode exists, the beta gyres would be expected to remain unchanged in the absence of beta forcing. When the beta forcing is discontinued, the beta gyres axisymmetrize in both models, refuting the normal mode hypothesis.
Description
Also issued as Christopher T. Nicklas's thesis (M.S.) -- Colorado State University, 1996.
Rights Access
Subject
Cyclones -- Tropics
Cyclone forecasting -- Tropics