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Structure and evolution of singular vectors in the Eady model
Author(s) -
Frame T. H. A.,
Nichols N. K.,
Thorpe A. J.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
international journal for numerical methods in fluids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.938
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1097-0363
pISSN - 0271-2091
DOI - 10.1002/fld.908
Subject(s) - potential vorticity , simple (philosophy) , flow (mathematics) , stream function , mathematics , plane (geometry) , vorticity , boundary (topology) , wavefront , function (biology) , physics , mathematical analysis , classical mechanics , mechanics , geometry , optics , vortex , philosophy , epistemology , evolutionary biology , biology
The singular vectors of the propagation matrix of a simple two‐dimensional model of the midlatitude atmospheric flow are calculated, in order to obtain initial conditions that achieve the maximum stream‐function amplification over a 24 h time period. Simple plane wave initial conditions are found to be a reasonable model for the amplification mechanism of the leading singular vector structures. The primary mechanism for growth is found to be the ‘untilting’ of the initial potential vorticity wavefronts. The existence of boundary wave structures is found to be the deciding factor in the zonal scale of perturbations and some evidence that these act against the primary growth mechanism is presented. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.