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Spectral study of wintertime kinetic energy of the Northern Hemisphere in the troposphereCharacteristics of the kinetic energy of wind fields at various pressure levels were analyzed, and significant wavenumbers in the wavenumber-frequency domain were identified. The nonlinear interaction terms of the kinetic energy equation were examined, and the distribution of the kinetic energy at the 850 mb, 500 mb, and 200 mb levels was calculated. A 5 deg latitude-longitude square grid was used, with NMC data for the 1975-1976 winter in the 20-60 deg N at 500 mb and 20-85 deg N for the 200 mb and 850 mb levels. The kinetic energy distribution was determined to be geography-dependent, with wavenumbers 6-9 westerly waves in the midfrequency range contributing significantly to kinetic energy maxima over the North Pacific and the east coast of North America. The contribution of the nonlinear interactions of these waves, which correspond to the longitudinal convergence of the kinetic energy flux, was found to be larger than the meridional convergence of the kinetic energy flux, and to occur mainly between 30-50 deg N. The nonlinear interactions were a negative contribution over the North Pacific at the 200 mb level.
Document ID
19830046867
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Lee, H. N.
(Utah, University Salt Lake City, UT, United States)
Zhao, Z.
(Utah Univ. Salt Lake City, UT, United States)
Kao, S. K.
(Utah Univ. Salt Lake City, UT, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: Tellus
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
83A28085
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-25373
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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