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Dynamics and energetics of the South Pacific Convergence Zone during FGGE SOP-1The major research objectives are to diagnose the physical processes responsible for the maintenance of the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) and to examine the role of the SPCZ in the large-scale circulation patterns of the Southern Hemisphere. To accomplish these objectives researchers used several data sources which include: a modified set of Level III-b upper air analyses, originally produced by ECMWF (Vincent, 1982); subjectively analyzed surface analyses for the South Pacific based on island station reports (Vincent, 1985); outgoing longwave radiation values supplied to us by NOAA/NESDIS; and equivalent black body temperatures and precipitation rates derived by Robertson. In the past year researchers found that wave number four plays an inportant role in the Southern Hemisphere tropics during the 15-day period when the sPCZ was a dominant feature, particularly with regard to the baroclinic conversion of potential to kinetic energy (Huang and Vincent, 1985). The convectively-active SPCZ area was found to make a significant contribution to this conversion process; thus, it appears that baroclinic effects and latent heating are important in maintaining the SPCZ. Recently efforts concentrated on two research tasks, an examination of cyclone activity within the SPCZ (Kann, 1985; Vincent, 1985; Vincent and Kann, 1985) and a study of the heat and moisture budgets in the South Pacific (Miller, et al., 1985). It was found that cyclonic disturbances occurred with regularity in the Zone from 10 to 17 January.
Document ID
19870003619
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Vincent, D. G.
(Purdue Univ. West Lafayette, IN, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Marshall Space Flight Center NASA(MSFC FY-85 Atmospheric Processes Research Review
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
87N13052
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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