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A numerical simulation of barotropic instability. II Wave-wave interactionA fully nonlinear numerical model of the point jet barotropic instability is used to test and confirm the hypothesis that the magnitude of the wave vorticity does not exceed the magnitude of the initial shear. This result arises directly from the local conservation of vorticity following a parcel and the fact that unstable waves are principally confined to the region where the zonal mean vorticity can be smoothed by the wave so as to eliminate the instability. Comparisons are made between fully nonlinear and quasi-linear models of the point jet instability and their tracer transport properties. Differences become particularly evident after wave saturation. The most important effect neglected by the wave-mean flow model appears to be the advection of wave vorticity by the most unstable mode. However, as equilibration of the instability proceeds, the globally averaged properties of both models are found to be similar.
Document ID
19850039004
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Nielsen, J. E.
(Applied Research Corp. Landover, MD, United States)
Schoeberl, M. R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Atmospheric Chemistry Branch, Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences
Volume: 41
ISSN: 0022-4928
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
85A21155
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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