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The secondary circulation associated with a vertically aligned planetary wave critical line
Author(s) -
Schoeberl Mark R.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl007i002p00153
Subject(s) - stratosphere , troposphere , circulation (fluid dynamics) , atmospheric sciences , environmental science , line (geometry) , climatology , atmospheric circulation , geology , physics , mechanics , geometry , mathematics
An analytic model of the secondary circulation associated with a vertically aligned, energy absorbing, planetary wave critical line shows that strong zonal mean vertical motions and heating (or cooling) can develop even though no eddy transport of heat occurs. The type of secondary circulation which develops around a vertically aligned critical line may provide a mechanism for stratosphere‐troposphere exchange of air. The model predictions are discussed with reference to the 76/77 sudden warming.