Morphology of unstable waves in a baroclinic jet.

Abstract

Solution of a system of second-order partial differential equations obtained from linearized approximations to the vorticity and thermodynamic equations yields phase velocities and amplitude functions which are utilized to compute particular solutions of the perturbation stream function field over a net of grid points c These values are combined linearly to obtain general solutions over the entire wave which describe the three-dimensional structure of the perturbations for selected time intervals. Equations for the particular and general perturbation vertical pressure velocities are set fortho A selection of cases representing various vertical and lateral wind profiles and static stability fields ^ wave lengths, and latitudes are pictured in three dimensions over a 72- hour period. These preliminary results indicate unexpected retrogression of waves of moderate wave length imposed upon a current exhibiting vertical and horizontal jet-like flow.