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Physical interactions between tropical and temperate latitudes
Author(s) -
Priestley C. H. B.
Publication year - 1951
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.49707733205
Subject(s) - angular momentum , atmospheric sciences , atmosphere (unit) , latitude , westerlies , momentum (technical analysis) , climatology , kinetic energy , zonal and meridional , flux (metallurgy) , precipitation , environmental science , physics , geology , meteorology , geodesy , chemistry , classical mechanics , finance , organic chemistry , economics
The poleward transports of momentum and angular momentum, enthalpy, water vapour, and total energy are studied at a number of upper‐air stations in the high‐pressure belt. The results confirm earlier suggestions of a mean meridional circulation across this belt; this circulation is found to contribute about one half the total poleward transport of both energy and angular momentum, and also to make a substantial contribution to the maintenance of the total kinetic energy of the atmosphere. The meridional circulation appears notably stronger in winter than in summer. The poleward transport of angular momentum to the Westerlies reflects this variation, whereas there is relatively little seasonal variation in the contribution from eddy flux (horizontal rotations) or in the total generation of angular momentum in the Easterlies of low latitudes. Variations of eddy flux with height are examined and certain general features (Priestley, Q.J. , 1949) confirmed. The lowest 500 mb of atmosphere make no appreciable contribution to the net eddy flow of momentum, the transport occurring mainly at the 300 mb and 200 mb levels. The results also provide a measure of the difference between total annual precipitation and evaporation in the tropical zone.