The Mutual Dependence of Large-Scale Eddy Transports of Sensible Heat and Zonal Momentum in the Lower Atmosphere

Abstract

It is shown through zonal harmonic analysis that the standing-eddy transports of west momentum and sensible heat are considerably interdependent in winter. Moreover, the interdependence aids the establishment of down-gradient transport of momentum and opposes the establishment of up-gradient transport of momentum wherever the transport of sensible heat itself is down-gradient in the upper troposphere. The reverse is true in the polar region of the Northern Hemisphere where sensible heat transport is up-gradient.