Finite-Amplitude Baroclinic Waves
Open Access
- 1 January 1970
- journal article
- Published by American Meteorological Society in Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
- Vol. 27 (1) , 15-30
- https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1970)027<0015:fabw>2.0.co;2
Abstract
A theory is presented for the finite-amplitude behavior of unstable baroclinic waves in a quasi-geostrophic two-layer model. It is shown that in the absence of dissipation the equilibrated finite-amplitude state exhibits an oscillation, both of the mean flow and the baroclinic wave. On the other hand, if sufficient dissipation is present, the final state is a wave whose amplitude is steady and the approach to that state is non-oscillatory. Abstract A theory is presented for the finite-amplitude behavior of unstable baroclinic waves in a quasi-geostrophic two-layer model. It is shown that in the absence of dissipation the equilibrated finite-amplitude state exhibits an oscillation, both of the mean flow and the baroclinic wave. On the other hand, if sufficient dissipation is present, the final state is a wave whose amplitude is steady and the approach to that state is non-oscillatory.Keywords
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