Abstract
The characteristics of the observed seasonal mean flow of the atmosphere for December–February and June–August are discussed. Various models and sets of equations are used to investigate the importance of orographic and thermal forcing and the role played by transients on the synoptic and longer time-scales.
The usefulness of considering maps of potential vorticity on isentropic surfaces for the diagnosis of the behaviour of synoptic systems in the atmosphere is illustrated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bretherton, F.P. (1966): Critical layer instability in baroclinic flows. Quart. J. Roy. Met. Soc, 92, 325–334.
Charney, J.G. (1947): The dynamics of long waves in a baroclinic westerly current. J. Met., 4, 135–163.
Charney, J.G., and Eliassen, A. (1949): A numerical method for predicting the perturbation of the middle-latitude westerlies. Tellus 1 (2), 38–54
Charney, J.G. and Stern, M.E., 1962: On the stability of internal baroclinic jets in a rotating atmosphere. J. Atmos. Sci., 19 159–172.
Eady, E.T. (1949): Long waves and cyclone waves. Tellus 1, (3), 33–52.
Ertel, H. (1942): Ein neuer hydrodynamischer Wirbelsatz. Meteorol. Z., 59, 271–281.
Frederiksen, J.S. (1983): Disturbances and eddy fluxes in Northern Hemisphere flows: instability of three dimensional January and July flows. J. Atmos. Sci., 40, 836–855.
Gill, A.E., and Rasmusson, E.M. (1983): The 1982–83 climate anomaly in the equatorial Pacific. Nature, 306, 229–234.
Grose, W.L. and Hoskins, B.J. (1979): On the influence of orography on large-scale atmospheric flow. J. Atmos. Sci., 36, 223–234.
Held, I.M. (1983): Stationary and quasi-stationary eddies in the extratropical Troposphere: theory, In ‘Large-scale dynamical processes in the atmosphere’ (B.J. Hoskins and R.P. Pearce, eds. ). Academic Press, 397 pp.
Held, I.M. and Hou, A.Y. (1980): Nonlinear axially symmetric circulations in a nearly invisid atmosphere. J. Atmos. Sci., 37 515–533.
Holopainen, E.O. (1978): On the dynamic forcing of the long-term mean flow by the large-scale Reynolds stresses in the atmosphere. J. Atmos. Sci., 35, 1596–1604.
Holopainen, E.O. (1984): Statistical local effect of synoptic-scale transient eddies on the time-mean flow in the northern extratropics in winter. J. Atmos. Sci., 41, 2505–2515.
Hoskins, B.J., and Karoly, D.J. (1981): The steady linear response of a spherical atmosphere to thermal and orographic forcing. J. Atmos. Sci., 38, 1179–1196.
Hoskins, B.J., James, I.N. and White, G.H. (1983): The shape, propagation and mean flow interaction of large-scale weather systems. J. Atmos. Sci., 40, 1595–1612.
Hoskins, B.J., McIntyre, M.E. and Robertson, A.W. (1985): On the use and significance of isentropic potential vorticity maps. Quart. J. Roy. Met. Soc., 111, 877–946.
Lau, N.-C., and Holopainen, E.O (1984): Transient eddy forcing of the time-mean flow as identified by geopotential tendencies. J. Atmos. Sci., 41, 313–328.
Rossby, C.G. (1939): Relation between variations in the intensity of the zonal circulation of the atmosphere and the displacement of the semi-permanent centers of action. J. Mar. Res., 2, (1), 38–55.
Rossby, C.G. (1940): Planetary flows in the atmosphere. Quart. J. Roy. Met. Soc., 66, Suppl., 68–87.
Sardeshmukh, P.D. and Hoskins, B.J. (1985): Vorticity balances in the tropics during the 1982–83 El Nino-Southern Oscillation event. Quart. J. Roy. Met. Soc., 111., 261–278.
Schneider, E.K. (1977): Axially symmetric steady-state models of the basic state for instability and climate studies. Part II: nonlinear calculations. J. Atmos. Sci., 34, 280–297.
Shaw, Sir Napier (1930): Manual of Meteorology, Vol III: The physical processes of weather. Cambridge. 445 pp.
Simmons, A.J. (1982): The forcing of stationary wave motion by tropical diabatic heating. Quart J. Roy. Met. Sci., 108, 503–534.
Simmons, A.J. and Hoskins, B.J. (1977): Baroclinic instability on the sphere solutions with a move realistic tropopause. J. Atmos. Sci., 34, 581–588
Simmons, A.J. and Hoskins, B.J. (1980): Barotropic influences on the growth and decay of nonlinear baroclinic waves. J. Atmos. Sci., 37, 1679–1684.
Simmons, A.J. (1982): The forcing of stationary wave motion by tropical diabatic heating. Quart J. Roy. Met. Sci., 108, 503–534.
Simmons, A.J., Wallace, J.M., and Branstator, G.W. (1983): Barotropic wave propagation and instability, and atmospheric teleconnection patterns. J. Atmos. Sci., 40, 1363–1392.
Thorpe, A.J. (1985): Diagnosis of balanced vortex structures using potential vorticity. J. Atmos. Sci., 42, 397–406.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hoskins, B.J. (1986). Some Topics in the General Circulation of the Atmosphere. In: Willebrand, J., Anderson, D.L.T. (eds) Large-Scale Transport Processes in Oceans and Atmosphere. NATO ASI Series, vol 190. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4768-9_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4768-9_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8617-2
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4768-9
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive