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contributor authorPlumb, R. A.
date accessioned2017-06-09T14:19:51Z
date available2017-06-09T14:19:51Z
date copyright1977/12/01
date issued1977
identifier issn0022-4928
identifier otherams-17391.pdf
identifier urihttp://onlinelibrary.yabesh.ir/handle/yetl/4153280
description abstractInternal waves propagating through a dissipative fluid interact with the mean flow. In response to forcing by a single wave, the mean flow evolves to a steady solution. In the presence of two (or more) waves such a solution exists but is unstable. The underlying dynamics in the latter case are basically those discussed by Holton and Lindzen (1972) in their theory of the quasi-biennial oscillation. If viscosity is small but nonzero the zonal flow exhibits a long-period oscillation. This study elucidates the dependence of the period and structure of the oscillation on the imposed parameters, and clarifies the basic dynamics. In particular, the origin of the downward motion of shear zones is discussed in detail following a demonstration (under realistic assumptions) that anomalies in the mean flow structure cannot propagate downward. Thus it is shown that the increase of radiative cooling coefficient with height in the stratosphere is not crucial to the mechanism while the mesospheric semi-annual oscillation is irrelevant for practical purposes. It is also argued that momentum diffusion in the lower stratosphere may be of crucial importance in the momentum budget of the oscillation.
publisherAmerican Meteorological Society
titleThe Interaction of Two Internal Waves with the Mean Flow: Implications for the Theory of the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation
typeJournal Paper
journal volume34
journal issue12
journal titleJournal of the Atmospheric Sciences
identifier doi10.1175/1520-0469(1977)034<1847:TIOTIW>2.0.CO;2
journal fristpage1847
journal lastpage1858
treeJournal of the Atmospheric Sciences:;1977:;Volume( 034 ):;issue: 012
contenttypeFulltext


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