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In-Depth Information
as a result of eddy heat and momentum fluxes. In this model the mean
thermal wind is relaxed toward a baroclinically unstable radiative equi-
librium state (designated by U0rad in the code), which has a sinusoidal
distribution in the meridional direction, and the mean wind components
U
m
and U
T
are assumed to vanish at the northern and southern boundaries.
Run the model for four cases with U0rad
10, 20, 30, and 40 m s
−
1
,
respectively. In each case run the model long enough so that the eddy
kinetic energy equilibrates. Show in a table the maximum values for U
m
and U
T
for each of these cases. Explain these results in terms of the
baroclinic instability theory of Section 8.2.
=
Suggested References
Lorenz,
The Nature and Theory of the General Circulation of the Atmosphere
, although somewhat
out of date, contains an excellent survey of the subject, including observational and theoretical
aspects.
James,
Introduction to Circulating Atmospheres
, provides an excellent introduction to observational
and theoretical aspects of the global general circulation.
Hide (1966) reviews a number of types of laboratory experiments with rotating fluids, including rotating
annulus experiments.
Washington and Parkinson,
An Introduction to Three-Dimensional Climate Modeling
, provide an
excellent text, which covers the physical basis and computational aspects of general circulation
modeling.
Randall (ed.),
General Circulation Model Development
, contains articles describing all aspects of
general circulation modeling.
