Skip to main content
eScholarship
Open Access Publications from the University of California

UC Irvine

UC Irvine Previously Published Works bannerUC Irvine

The Generalization of Semigeostrophic Theory to the β-Plane

Abstract

We develop here the isentropic–geostrophic coordinate version of semigeostrophic theory on a midlatitude β-plane. This approach results in a simple mathematical form in which the horizontal ageostrophic velocities are implicit and the entire dynamics reduces to a predictive equation for the potential pseudodensity and an invertibility relation. Linearized versions of the theory lead to a generalized Charney–Stern theorem for combined barotropic–baroclinic instability and to Rossby wave solutions with a meridional structure different from that in quasi-geostrophic theory.

Many UC-authored scholarly publications are freely available on this site because of the UC's open access policies. Let us know how this access is important for you.

Main Content
For improved accessibility of PDF content, download the file to your device.
Current View