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Some Comments On the Concept of Thermal Forcing
Author(s) -
Shutts G. J.
Publication year - 1987
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.49711347817
Subject(s) - diabatic , forcing (mathematics) , thermal , nonlinear system , mode (computer interface) , newtonian fluid , mechanics , atmosphere (unit) , physics , classical mechanics , meteorology , thermodynamics , atmospheric sciences , computer science , adiabatic process , quantum mechanics , operating system
Arguments are given to support the notion that the thermally‐forced component of large‐scale motion is not simply that associated with pre‐specified diabatic heat sources as expressed in the classical models of thermal forcing. the concept of thermal equilibration, as an idealized response in models with a Newtonian diabatic heating process, is introduced and is argued to be relevant to real and numerically simulated atmospheric circulation. Equilibration is possible when Newtonian forcing is compatible with a nonlinear free mode flow pattern. the general question of the possible importance of equilibration and nonlinear free mode structures in the atmosphere is raised.