On breakdowns of the westerlies
- 1 January 1981
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Geophysical & Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
- Vol. 17 (1) , 27-49
- https://doi.org/10.1080/03091928108243671
Abstract
The transition of the middle-latitude atmospheric circulation from “zonal” to “meridional” type is known to occur in connection with the growth of local disturbances characterized by a very low mobility. This process is very frequent over Europe, where it leads usually to a blocking situation. In this paper, the physical conditions that determine the growth and the motion of localized disturbances (wave packets) in a rotating (β-plane) westerly flow are analysed for various mechanisms of instability. The results are discussed in the light of what is known from available data.Keywords
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