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The field of mean vertical velocity at 200mb in south temperate latitudes as estimated from EOLE constant level balloon flights
Author(s) -
Angell J. K.
Publication year - 1975
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.49710142917
Subject(s) - longitude , latitude , geology , geodesy , temperate climate , southern hemisphere , northern hemisphere , atmospheric sciences , mean flow , climatology , meteorology , geography , turbulence , botany , biology
The mean 200mb vertical‐velocity field in south temperate latitudes during 1971‐1972 has been estimated through 6200 evaluations of 24‐hour temperature changes along 46 EOLE constant level balloon flights, and use of the adiabatic method. There is a significant tendency for ascending motion to occur over the western hemisphere and descending motion over the eastern hemisphere in winter and in the mean for the year. In winter the average maximum ascending motion of more than 2mm s −1 occurs about 30 degrees longitude west of the Andes Mountains, and the maximum descending motion of 2mm s −1 occurs over Australia. It is suggested that the Andes Mountains are basically responsible for the observed longitudinal variation in 200mb vertical velocity, both because they act as a barrier to the strong westerly flow, and also because they serve to anchor the long waves and the vertical‐velocity patterns associated therewith.