A parameterization of large-scale heat transport in midlatitudes. Part II. Stationary waves and the Ferrel cell

Takashi Sasamori

doi:10.3402/tellusa.v30i4.10344

A parameterization of large-scale heat transport in midlatitudes. Part II. Stationary waves and the Ferrel cell

Tellus

Volume 30 (1978): Issue 4

By: Takashi Sasamori

Open Access

|Jan 1978

Abstract

Based on the recent studies by Andrews and McIntyre (1976) and Boyd (1976) a simple equation is formulated to calculate the mean meridional circulation forced by the stationary planetary waves and the latent heat release and its correlation with the stationary planetary waves. The westerly momentum equation and the thermodynamic equation are combined to form a single linear equation for the meridional circulation based on the assumption that the momentum dissipates exclusively in the lowest layer of the atmosphere and that the heat dissipates into the ocean and lithosphere. The ratio between the dissipation time constants for momentum and heat turns out to be one of the most important parameters governing the intensity of the meridional circulation. The mid-latitude Ferrel cell appears to be a composite circulation originated from two circulations: one from the stationary planetary waves (Charney-Drazin circulation) and the other from the transient eddies biased by the latent heat release. The adiabatic heating computed from the model is compared favorably with observations.

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