The Turbulent Gravity Wave-Critical Level Encounter in the Evolution of Atmospheric Flow.
Abstract
The extended objective of this work is to contribute to understanding the short term response of the atmosphere to short term influences. The particular influence studied is internal gravity wave motion, specifically the encounter of a gravity wave with a critical level, a height where the component of the wind speed in the direction of the horizontal phase propagation matches the horizontal component of wave phase speed. Two major effects of such encounters are the deposition in the wind of momentum transported by the wave motion and the generation of turbulence by the wave motion. Both phenomena modify the wind in the vicinity of the critical level. Several nonturbulent and turbulent calculations of a gravity wave-critical level encounter were performed. The simulated signatures will aid in the examination of interpretation of the records of the Poker Flats and Sunset doppler radars. Of those events which can be identified as critical level encounters, one or two will be selected for numerical simulation, for which key parameters are matched to those extracted from the observations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA162335
Entities
People
- John R. Grant