On interannual variations of angular momentum and zonal kinetic energy in the atmosphere

Norman E. Gaut; José P. Peixoto; Mao-Fou Wu; Richard D. Rosen

doi:10.3402/tellusa.v28i2.10262

On interannual variations of angular momentum and zonal kinetic energy in the atmosphere

Tellus

Volume 28 (1976): Issue 2

By: Norman E. Gaut, José P. Peixoto, Mao-Fou Wu and Richard D. Rosen

Open Access

|Jan 1976

Abstract

Interannual changes in various quantities involved in the atmospheric balances of angular momentum and zonal kinetic energy for the northern hemisphere have been analyzed for the five year period beginning May 1, 1958. The data used consists of daily upper-air measurements of the horizontal wind field taken from a hemispheric network of over 700 stations. Results are presented for the most part in the form of meridional cross-sections through the atmosphere and profiles of vertical averages of the quantities studied. The fields of quantities dependent on the mean meridional flow show large year-to-year fluctuations, though the well-known fact that such fields are difficult to measure accurately must be borne in mind. By comparison, the mean zonal flow field and the horizontal transient eddy momentum flux are relatively stable. However, variations that they do display may be of considerable interest for certain purposes.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusa.v28i2.10262 | Journal eISSN: 3035-9554

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Language: English

Page range: 122 - 137

Submitted on: Jan 14, 1975

Published on: Jan 1, 1976

Published by: Stockholm University Press

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

© 1976 Norman E. Gaut, José P. Peixoto, Mao-Fou Wu, Richard D. Rosen, published by Stockholm University Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 28 (1976): Issue 2