Masarik, Matthew Thomas, authorSchubert, Wayne H., advisorEykholt, Richard E., committee memberMaloney, Eric D., committee memberRandall, David A., committee member2007-01-032007-01-032012http://hdl.handle.net/10217/67941Using potential temperature (θ) as the vertical coordinate, we derive analytical solutions of the potential vorticity (PV) invertibility principle for the case in which the flow is y-independent and an isolated PV anomaly is confined within an ellipse in the (x, θ)-plane. The solutions aid in understanding the dynamics of low latitude PV intrusions whose associated cloud patterns are often referred to as moisture bursts, or tropical plumes and whose flow patterns are often referred to as tropical upper tropospheric troughs (TUTTs). The solutions illustrate the phenomenon of isentropic upglide below an upper tropospheric positive anomaly in PV. They also quantify how the partitioning of PV between vorticity and static stability depends on the shape and strength of the PV anomaly. The solutions also apply to the problem of determining the balanced flow induced by a surface temperature anomaly, which is equivalent to a very thin layer of infinite PV at the surface. Reanalysis data is consulted as a check on the solutions. Finally, a numerical model is constructed where approximations made in the analytical theory can be examined.born digitaldoctoral dissertationsengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.potential vorticitytropical upper tropospheric troughsstratospheric intrusionsText