A diagnostic Study of Atmospheric Spectral Kinetic Energetics

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Abstract
Wind spectra are obtained from data using expansions in spherical harmonies. Equations governing the tendencies of total kinetic energy of the spectral wind components are derived. Dissipation is obtained diagnostically as a residual. Calculations are performed on a data set for two weeks at eight pressure levels from surface to 100 mb for the Northern Hemisphere. As the data coverage is not global, parity assumptions are necessary for scalar data fields and ate assigned based on observation and the geostrophic wind equations. Results are scaled by the two-dimensional index n (degree of associated Legendre functions Pn1. Expansions are truncated at l=n=24. Data accuracy may be questionable for the higher coefficients considered here. Some of the results of calculations are as follows: