On the interaction of surface heating anomalies with zonally symmetric and asymmetric atmospheric flows

Models of intermediate complexity have been used to study some aspects of the climatic effects of anomalous heating, but many aspects of the problem have yet to be explored thoroughly. The present study represents a preliminary investigated of the gaps in scientific understanding of the interaction of heating and atmospheric dynamics. The principle research tool is a model of intermediate complexity, including a time-dependent, nonlinear-two-layer quasi-geostrophic model of relatively high horizontal resolution which incorporates simple heating parameterizations. The model is used to examine systematically the interaction of heating arising from anomalies in surface temperature with zonally symmetric and zonally asymmetric flows characterized by different values of static stability and mean vertical wind shear.