Zonal Momentum Balance, Potential Vorticity Dynamics, and Mass Fluxes on Near-Surface IsentropesSource: Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences:;2005:;Volume( 062 ):;issue: 006::page 1884Author:Schneider, Tapio
DOI: 10.1175/JAS3341.1Publisher: American Meteorological Society
Abstract: While it has been recognized for some time that isentropic coordinates provide a convenient framework for theories of the global circulation of the atmosphere, the role of boundary effects in the zonal momentum balance and in potential vorticity dynamics on isentropes that intersect the surface has remained unclear. Here, a balance equation is derived that describes the temporal and zonal mean balance of zonal momentum and of potential vorticity on isentropes, including the near-surface isentropes that sometimes intersect the surface. Integrated vertically, the mean zonal momentum or potential vorticity balance leads to a balance condition that relates the mean meridional mass flux along isentropes to eddy fluxes of potential vorticity and surface potential temperature. The isentropic-coordinate balance condition formally resembles balance conditions well known in quasigeostrophic theory, but on near-surface isentropes it generally differs from the quasigeostrophic balance conditions. Not taking the intersection of isentropes with the surface into account, quasigeostrophic theory does not adequately represent the potential vorticity dynamics and mass fluxes on near-surface isentropes?a shortcoming that calls into question the relevance of quasigeostrophic theories for the macroturbulence and global circulation of the atmosphere.
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contributor author | Schneider, Tapio | |
date accessioned | 2017-06-09T16:51:56Z | |
date available | 2017-06-09T16:51:56Z | |
date copyright | 2005/06/01 | |
date issued | 2005 | |
identifier issn | 0022-4928 | |
identifier other | ams-75531.pdf | |
identifier uri | http://onlinelibrary.yabesh.ir/handle/yetl/4217877 | |
description abstract | While it has been recognized for some time that isentropic coordinates provide a convenient framework for theories of the global circulation of the atmosphere, the role of boundary effects in the zonal momentum balance and in potential vorticity dynamics on isentropes that intersect the surface has remained unclear. Here, a balance equation is derived that describes the temporal and zonal mean balance of zonal momentum and of potential vorticity on isentropes, including the near-surface isentropes that sometimes intersect the surface. Integrated vertically, the mean zonal momentum or potential vorticity balance leads to a balance condition that relates the mean meridional mass flux along isentropes to eddy fluxes of potential vorticity and surface potential temperature. The isentropic-coordinate balance condition formally resembles balance conditions well known in quasigeostrophic theory, but on near-surface isentropes it generally differs from the quasigeostrophic balance conditions. Not taking the intersection of isentropes with the surface into account, quasigeostrophic theory does not adequately represent the potential vorticity dynamics and mass fluxes on near-surface isentropes?a shortcoming that calls into question the relevance of quasigeostrophic theories for the macroturbulence and global circulation of the atmosphere. | |
publisher | American Meteorological Society | |
title | Zonal Momentum Balance, Potential Vorticity Dynamics, and Mass Fluxes on Near-Surface Isentropes | |
type | Journal Paper | |
journal volume | 62 | |
journal issue | 6 | |
journal title | Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences | |
identifier doi | 10.1175/JAS3341.1 | |
journal fristpage | 1884 | |
journal lastpage | 1900 | |
tree | Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences:;2005:;Volume( 062 ):;issue: 006 | |
contenttype | Fulltext |