The Wavenumber-Frequency Spectra of Satellite-Measured Brightness in the Tropics

Abstract

The wavenumber-frequency spectra of satellite-observed brightness have been examined for the period 1 February 1967 through 29 February 1968 for the latitude belt 20N to 20S. It was found that the quasi-stationary modes and low wavenumbers contain most of the power. The propagating wave activity was located primarily in the 5?15N latitude zone. Perturbations with periods of 12.5 days and wavenumber 5 and about 6 days and wavenumber 9 were prominent. These are consistent with Rossby waves and easterly waves. Since the propagating brightness spectra are due to propagating clouds, the results indicate a traveling heat source as being important in the generation and maintenance of those waves. There was no indication in the brightness spectra of periods and wavelengths consistent with Kelvin waves. However, a tropospheric heat source is not ruled out for those waves.