On the adjustment of simple atmospheric currents
Date
1980-03
Authors
Fischer, Günter, author
Nehrkorn, Thomas, author
Schubert, Wayne, author
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Abstract
A disturbance of geostrophic equilibrium in the form of an unbalanced vortex of finite lateral extension or an unbalanced zonal current of finite width is suddenly injected into upper atmospheric layers between 8 and 16 km at time t = 0. We consider the changes of motion, temperature and pressure caused by the initially unbalanced velocity field which seeks to gain a stationary geostrophic equilibrium, and compare the final to the initial state. To this end the linearized hydro-thermodynamical equations are solved on the assumption that the basic state of the horizontally unlimited atmosphere is in rest and the lapse rate of temperature vanishes or, in a second example, is adiabatic. We show that the solutions for these baroclinic disturbances are obtained by a superposition of solutions for barotropic disturbances
these latter are therefore discussed in detail. The following questions are dealt with: which general initial conditions lead to adjustment, which energy transformations take place, how does the lateral and vertical extension of the initial disturbance influence the results, which conclusions can be drawn from the results with respect to the dynamics of the true atmosphere.
these latter are therefore discussed in detail. The following questions are dealt with: which general initial conditions lead to adjustment, which energy transformations take place, how does the lateral and vertical extension of the initial disturbance influence the results, which conclusions can be drawn from the results with respect to the dynamics of the true atmosphere.
Description
Translation of "Über die adaptation einfacher stromfelder in der atmosphäre" von Günter Fischer (Berichte des Deutschen Wetterdienstes Nr. 87, Band 12, 87/3-87/20 (1963)).
Translated by Thomas Nehrkorn, Wayne Schubert.
Translated by Thomas Nehrkorn, Wayne Schubert.
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Subject
Atmospheric circulation -- Germany