The Effects of Compressibility on the Stably Stratified Flow over a Shallow Topography in the Beta Plane

Abstract

The effects of compressibility on a stably stratified eastward flow of air over a shallow topography in the beta plane are considered. The incompressible response of the flow to the topography is composed of a barotropic Rossby wave disturbance which extends far downstream and a baroclinic response which decays away from the topography. Compressibility increases the barotropic response by a factor of 1.6 and enhances that baroclinic response with height. The problem is formulated and a general solution obtained which includes the effects of shear in the approaching flow. The effects of shear are presently being studied and it appears that under certain circumstances shear may eliminate the Rossby wave response and thus localize the topographic disturbance.