COMPUTATION OF STREAMLINES FROM THE PRESSURE FIELD

Abstract

Although it is simpler to find the pressure field corresponding to a known wind field, practical considerations nevertheless lead us to seek by approximations the wind fields corresponding to a given pressure field. Difficulties are encountered not only because of the ensuing ambiguity but also in carrying out the graphical algebra and analysis of the pressure-wise expressed wind vector. The extent of these difficulties is presently due to the incompletely observed state of the atmosphere. Assumptions are therefore introduced into this mathematically complete expression to reduce it into synoptically tractable but less correct solutions that can be quickly and easily applied to the very limitedly observed state of the atmosphere. For finding the streamlines entirely in terms of the pressure field and all of its individual derivatives, one such solution is arrived at from a bicubic pressure polynomial in angular ageostrophic deviation. Against selected criteria this solution is tested, and the results are then applied.