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On the low-frequency, planetary-scale motion in the tropical atmosphere and oceans

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Abstract

Scale analyses for long wave, zonal ultralong wave (with zonal scale of disturbanceL 1∼104 km and meridional scaleL 2∼103 km) and meridional ultralong wave (L 1∼103 km,L 2∼104 km) are carried out and a set of approximate equations suitable for the study of these waves in a dry tropical atmosphere is obtained. Under the condition of sheared basic current, frequency analyses for the equations are carried out. It is found that Rossby waves and gravity waves may be separated forn⩾1 wheren is the meridional wave number, whereas forn=0 andL 1∼1000 km, the mixed Rossby-gravity wave will appear. Hence it is confirmed that the above results of scale analyses are correct. The consistency between frequency analysis and scale analysis is established.

The effect of shear of basic current on the equatorial waves is to change their frequencies and phase velocities and hence their group velocities. It increases the velocity of westward travelling Rossby waves and inertia-gravity and mixed waves, but decelerates the eastward inertia-gravity waves and the Kelvin wave. The recently observed low-frequency equatorial ocean wave may be interpreted as an eastward Kelvin wave in a basic current with shear.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Academia Sinica, Beijing

    Li Maicun

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  1. Li Maicun
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Deid in Beijing, 1984. This posthumous manuscript is recommended by Prof. Zeng Qingcun and Dr. Wu Guoxiong.

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Li, M. On the low-frequency, planetary-scale motion in the tropical atmosphere and oceans. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 4, 249–263 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02663596

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02663596

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