SYNOPTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF DYNAMIC INSTABILITY
Open Access
- 1 October 1950
- journal article
- Published by American Meteorological Society in Journal of Meteorology
- Vol. 7 (5) , 333-342
- https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1950)007<0333:ssodi>2.0.co;2
Abstract
The subsequent motion of a perturbed air-parcel is outlined, together with the criteria that determine the four fundamental types of dynamically stable and dynamically unstable motions. The specification of such motions for synoptic studies is presented, and the physical significance of the motions themselves discussed. The importance of lateral diffusion in the atmosphere is deduced, especially when dynamic instability is present. A region of dynamically unstable motions is identified as one showing lateral “perturbation divergence.” The sectors of compensating convergence can also be established, especially for the class of instability characterized by a unique “axis of outflow” for the perturbed parcels. In theory, marked instability should be associated with a negative development tendency for the corresponding surface pressure system, and marked stability with a positive development tendency. Statistical studies of a large number of dynamic-instability computations adequately verified these ... Abstract The subsequent motion of a perturbed air-parcel is outlined, together with the criteria that determine the four fundamental types of dynamically stable and dynamically unstable motions. The specification of such motions for synoptic studies is presented, and the physical significance of the motions themselves discussed. The importance of lateral diffusion in the atmosphere is deduced, especially when dynamic instability is present. A region of dynamically unstable motions is identified as one showing lateral “perturbation divergence.” The sectors of compensating convergence can also be established, especially for the class of instability characterized by a unique “axis of outflow” for the perturbed parcels. In theory, marked instability should be associated with a negative development tendency for the corresponding surface pressure system, and marked stability with a positive development tendency. Statistical studies of a large number of dynamic-instability computations adequately verified these ...Keywords
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