An observacional study of the energetics and efficiency of baroclinic waves in the Southern Hemisphere / Um estudo observacional de energetica e eficiencia das ondas baroclinicas no Hemisferio Sul

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

1991

RESUMO

In the present work observed characteristics of medium-scale (wave numbers 4-7) baroclinic waves which dominate summer atmosphere are studied. The efficiencies of baroclinic eddies in transporting heat and momentum are also studied. The correlation coefficients between meridional wind and temperature and meridional wind and zonal wind measure the efficiencies of heat and momentum transport respectively. The wave becomes efficient in transporting heat approximately one day before attaining maximum kinetic energy. Barotropic decay of the wave is associated with higher efficiency of momentum. The energetics of medium-scale waves are calculated using the Saltzman (1957) equations. Energy calculations show well defined life cycles with baroclinic growth, maturity and barotropic decay. The term of conversion between potential energies and kinetic energies is also calculated. Finally, the validity of geostrophic and hydrostatic approximations is examined. It is found that the geostrophic errors are more in the case of momentum transport than in the case of sensible heat transport.

ASSUNTO(S)

ciencias meteorologicas transporte de calor momentum hemisferio sul southern hemisphere meteorology science ondas baroclinicas

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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