Internal Instability of Nonparallel Flow on an Equatorial Beta-plane
Abstract
A simple theoretical model was developed to investigate the inertial. Instability of zonally nonuniform, nonparallel flow near the equator. The basic state was independent of height and time but included cross-equatorial shear with longitudinal variation, as observed in the tropical mesosphere and elsewhere. Numerical solutions were obtained for the most unstable modes. It is shown that, in addition to previously known 'global' (symmetric and nonsymmetric) modes of inertial instability, there exist 'local' modes within regions of anomalous potential vorticity. The local mode has properties similar to those of 'absolute' instability of nonparallel flow as discussed elsewhere in fluid dynamics.... Inertial instability, Equatorial inertia-gravity waves.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 14, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA268927
Entities
People
- Timothy J. Dunkerton
Organizations
- Northwest Research Associates