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At least 235 records · Page 13

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NASA NTRS1990

Energy conserving and potential-enstrophy dissipating schemes for the shallow water equations

To incorporate potential enstrophy dissipation into discrete shallow water equations with no or arbitrarily small energy dissipation, a family of finite-difference schemes have been derived with which potential enstrophy is guaranteed to decrease while energy is conserved (when the mass flux is nondivergent and time is continuous). Among this family of schemes, there is a member that minimizes the spurious impact of infinite potential vorticities associated with infinitesimal fluid depth. The scheme is, therefore, useful for problems in which the free surface may intersect with the lower boundary.

Arakawa, Akio↗

NASA NTRS1990

A numerical study of the outflow layer of tropical cyclones

Numerical simulations of idealized tropical cyclones with special emphasis on the outflow layer are presented. The quasi-steady state outflow layers of weak and strong cyclones are found to exhibit similar characteristics. The circulations are anticyclonic and asymmetric about the center; the outflow layer is dominated by a narrow, elongated outflow-jet contributing up to 50 percent of the angular momentum transport; the air particles in the outflow jet mostly originate from the lower level. Secondary circulations are found to influence the relative humidity and the potential vorticity at the outflow levels. In order to study the effect of upper tropospheric forcings, two variational numerical experiments using cumulus convection as the major link between the upper-level forcing and the tropical cyclone's response are conducted.

Shi, Jainn-Jong↗

NASA NTRS1990

A simple inertial model for Neptune's zonal circulation

Voyager imaging observations of zonal cloud-tracked winds on Neptune revealed a strongly subrotational equatorial jet with a speed approaching 500 m/s and generally decreasing retrograde motion toward the poles. The wind data are interpreted with a speculative but revealingly simple model based on steady gradient flow balance and an assumed global homogenization of potential vorticity for shallow layer motion. The prescribed model flow profile relates the equatorial velocity to the mid-latitude shear, in reasonable agreement with the available data, and implies a global horizontal deformation scale L(D) of about 3000 km.

Allison, Michael↗

NASA NTRS1990

Validation of parameterization scheme for eddy diffusion from satellite data

The eddy diffusion coefficient K(yy) has been calculated usign LIMS for the months of December 1978 and January and February 1979. Two methods have been used. The first implements the suggestion made by Tung (1987) to parameterize the eddy transport as a diffusive process along isentropes. The second method integrates the equation relating the parcel displacements to the eddy velocity fields. The latter method uses a filtering on both space and time domains to isolate transients and is referred to as the 'spectral method'. Results from the first method are shown to be reliable only for quiescent periods, breaking down when the meridional gradient of potential vorticity is negligible. Results from the two methods are in agreement only for very disturbed conditions, when transience is readily isolated. It is concluded that the parameterizations suggested for eddy transport and calculated in this paper may be meaningful for quiet periods, but are not reliable for unsteady and very large amplitude disturbances.

Sassi, F.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Intraseasonal oscillations in the extratropics - Hopf bifurcation and topographic instabilities

A potential vorticity model in a beta-channel is used to analyze the resonant response of equivalent-barotropic flow to topography in the presence of a forced zonal jet with arbitrary meridional structure. The nonlinear dynamics near different resonances is studied considering both wave-wave and wave-zonal flow interactions. It is shown that Hopf bifurcations from stationary to periodic flows are possible due to the nonlinear instability of nonzonal, topographically forced flow. Low-frequency, finite-amplitude oscillations arise due to a combination of two factors: (1) nonlinear wave-wave interactions, which tend to reduce the Rossby wave frequency; and (2) wave-zonal flow interactions, which reflect the importance of wave momentum transport in shifting the westerly jet and of the topographic form drag. The physical mechanism of atmospherically realistic Hopf bifurcations depends crucially on the meridional profile of the mean zonal flow giving rise to a dipole-shaped resonance.

Jin, F.-F.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Ventilation of North Pacific Intermediate Waters - The role of the Alaskan Gyre

Hydrographic data, tritium data, and potential vorticity calculations suggest that although North Pacific Intermediate Water is formed in the northwest, the Alaskan Gyre might be an additional ventilation site. The proposed ventilation is quantified by a vertical column tritium inventory, which indicates an excess of 0.08 kg of tritium in the Alaskan Gyre. An evaluation of the energy stored in the water column and of wind and buoyancy forcing shows that during winter conditions enough energy can be pumped into the system to force 26.80 sigma(theta) to outcrop in the Alaskan Gyre. Model results suggest that relatively limited outcrops in time and space (tens of days and several hundred kilometers in diameter) can account for the excess tritium.

Van Scoy, Kim A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Air mass origins and troposphere-to-stratosphere exchange associated with mid-latitude cyclogenesis and tropopause folding inferred from Be-7 measurements

The 1984 extratropical mission of NASA's Stratosphere-Troposphere Exchange Project (STEP) studied cross-jet transport in regions of cyclogenesis and tropopause folding. Correlations of Be-7, ozone, water vapor, and potential vorticity measured on a NASA U-2 research aircraft flying in high shear regions above the jet core are indicative of mixing between the cyclonic and the anticyclonic sides of the jet and are consistent with the hypothesis that small-scale entrainments of upper tropospheric air into the lower stratosphere during cyclogenesis are important in maintaining the vertical gradients of Be-7, ozone, water vapor and other trace constituents in the lower few kilometers of the midlatitude stratosphere. Correlations between Be-7, and ozone suggest a lower tropical stratospheric origin for the ozone-poor lamina observed above the jet core.

Kritz, Mark A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

ATLAS: Airborne Tunable Laser Absorption Spectrometer for stratospheric trace gas measurements

The ATLAS instrument is an advanced technology diode laser based absorption spectrometer designed specifically for stratospheric tracer studies. This technique was used in the acquisition of N2O tracer data sets on the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment and the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition. These data sets have proved valuable for comparison with atmospheric models, as well as in assisting in the interpretation of the entire ensemble of chemical and meteorological data acquired on these two field studies. The N2O dynamical tracer data set analysis revealed several ramifications concerning the polar atmosphere: the N2O/NO(y) correlation, which is used as a tool to study denitrification in the polar vertex; the N2O Southern Hemisphere morphology, showing subsidence in the winter polar vortex; and the value of the N2O measurements in the interpretation of ClO, O3, and NO(y) measurements and of the derived dynamical tracer, potential vorticity. Field studies also led to improved characterization of the instrument and to improved accuracy.

Loewenstein, Max↗

NASA NTRS1990

Homogeneous and heterogeneous chemistry along air parcel trajectories

The study of coupled heterogeneous and homogeneous chemistry due to polar stratospheric clouds (PSC's) using Lagrangian parcel trajectories for interpretation of the Airborne Arctic Stratosphere Experiment (AASE) is discussed. This approach represents an attempt to quantitatively model the physical and chemical perturbation to stratospheric composition due to formation of PSC's using the fullest possible representation of the relevant processes. Further, the meteorological fields from the United Kingdom Meteorological office global model were used to deduce potential vorticity and inferred regions of PSC's as an input to flight planning during AASE.

Jones, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Analysis of stratospheric ozone, temperature, and minor constituent data

The objective of this research is to use available satellite measurements of temperature and constituent concentrations to test the conceptual picture of stratospheric chemistry and transport. This was originally broken down into two sub-goals: first, to use the constituent data to search for critical tests of our understanding of stratospheric chemistry and second, to examine constituent transport processes emphasizing interactions with chemistry on various time scales. A third important goal which has evolved is to use the available solar backscattered ultraviolet (SBUV) and Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data from Nimbus 7 to describe the morphology of recent changes in Antarctic and global ozone with emphasis on searching for constraints to theories. The major effort now being pursued relative to the two original goals is our effort as a theoretical team for the Arctic Airborne Stratospheric Expedition (AASE). Our effort for the AASE is based on the 3D transport and chemistry model at Goddard. Our goal is to use this model to place the results from the mission data in a regional and global context. Specifically, we set out to make model runs starting in late December and running through March of 1989, both with and without heterogeneous chemistry. The transport is to be carried out using dynamical fields from a 4D data assimilation model being developed under separate funding from this task. We have successfully carried out a series of single constituent transport experiments. One of the things demonstrated by these runs was the difficulty in obtaining observed low N2O abundances in the vortex without simultaneously obtaining very high ozone values. Because the runs start in late December, this difficulty arises in the attempt to define consistent initial conditions for the 3D model. To accomplish a consistent set of initial conditions, we are using the 2D photochemistry-transport model of Jackman and Douglass and mapping in potential temperature, potential vorticity space as developed by Schoeberl and coworkers.

Stolarski, Richard S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Research aircraft observations of the mesoscale and microscale structure of a cold front over the eastern Pacific Ocean

The structure of an oceanic cold front is described on the basis of research aircraft observations taken during the Ocean Storms field experiment. Synoptic and mesoscale analyses compare the structure of an upper-level jet-front system observed slightly downstream from the wind speed maximum to its structure in the upstream entrance region. Stratospheric potential vorticity and ozone were found within the frontal zone down to about 800 mb. Microscale analyses of the front near the sea surface were carried out for a portion of the front having the signature of a 'rope' cloud in satellite imagery. A narrow (less than 1 km) zone of upward motion (about 4 m/s) and of horizontal shear (about 0.01/s) characterized the front near the surface. Significant alongfront variability was found, including lateral displacements in the frontal zone where there were weaker updrafts.

Bond, Nicholas A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

A new numerical model of the middle atmosphere. I - Dynamics and transport of tropospheric source gases

Attention is given to a new model of the middle atmosphere which includes, in addition to the equations governing the zonal mean state, a potential vorticity equation for a single planetary-scale Rossby wave, and an IR radiative transfer code for the stratosphere and lower mesosphere, which replaces the Newtonian cooling parameterization used previously. It is shown that explicit computation of the planetary-scale wave field yields a more realistic representation of the zonal mean dynamics and the distribution of trace chemical species. Wave breaking produces a well-mixed 'surf zone' equatorward of the polar night vortex and drives a meridional circulation with downwelling on the poleward side of the vortex. This combination of mixing and downwelling produces shallow meridional gradients of trace gases in the subtropics and middle latitudes, and very steep gradients at the edge of the polar vortex. Computed distributions of methane and nitrous oxide are shown to agree well with observations.

Garcia, Rolando R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Reactive nitrogen, ozone, and nitrate aerosols observed in the Arctic stratosphere in January 1990

Ozone mixing ratios in the vicinity of the 525-K potential temperature surface in January and early February of 1990 were observed to decrease sharply across the edge of the vortex boundary, where the vortex position was estimated from Ertel's potential vorticity. The changes in NO(y) mixing ratio with respect to altitude measured on January 18 and 31 were quite well correlated with those of ozone between 15 and 24 km, indicating that NO(y) also had a large gradient across the edge of the vortex. This is interpreted as being mainly due to the significant denitrification that occurred inside the vortex. The total amount of gas and particulate phase HNO3 was close to the NO(y) amount at the altitude of the 22- to 23-km region, suggesting that the conversion of non-HNO3 reactive nitrogen to HNO3 had occurred with a PSC.

Kondo, Y.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Genesis of mobile troughs in the upper westerlies

Stability calculations on basic-state velocity profiles representative of the preferred regions for the development of the upper-level disturbances active in Type B cyclogenesis show that conditions in these regions (weak low-level baroclinicity, large low-level static stability, and large surface roughness) are favorable for the growth of baroclinic waves with maximum amplitude near the tropopause. The structure of these waves compares favorably with observations of developing short-wavelength upper-level troughs in the atmosphere. Basic states characteristic of the storm track regions (strong low-level baroclinicity and small surface roughness) favor the development of baroclinic waves with maximum amplitude at the surface. The dynamics of both the surface-trapped and the upper-tropospheric waves can be interpreted concisely using concepts of potential vorticity. Based on these results, a possible mechanism for Type B cyclogenesis in the storm track regions is proposed that involves the propagation and structural modification of baroclinic wave packets in a zonally varying basic flow.

Whitaker, Jeffrey S.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Springtime stratospheric water vapour in the Southern Hemisphere as measured by MLS

The effects of the break-up of the Antarctic vortex on the water vapor distribution are studied using MLS measurements of water vapor made during September 1991 and November 1991. In early November at 22 hPa a moist area is found within the polar vortex, consistent with an observed descent of order 10 km and strong radiative cooling. As the vortex erodes (beginning of November 1991), parcels of moist air become detached from the edge of the vortex and mix rapidly (within 2-3 days) with drier mid-latitude air. When the vortex breaks up (mid-November), larger parcels of moist air from both the edge and the inner vortex migrate to mid-latitudes. These parcels have a longer lifetime than those produced by vortex erosion, probably because they are correlated with higher potential vorticity gradients. The break-up of the vortex is accompanied by a mean adiabatic equatorward transport resulting in a significant increase in midstratospheric water vapor values at mid-latitudes in late spring.

Harwood, R. S.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Scale interactions and diabatic processes during the development of an Atlantic blocking event

Results of a case study of the development of a major blocking event over the North Atlantic Ocean are reported with emphasis on the potential roles of interactions between synoptic-scale systems and diabatic processes in the large-scale development. The approach used here involves the analysis of the evolution of the potential temperature on a constant potential vorticity (PV) surface, where the value of PV is chosen to be representative of that of the tropopause. The approach is shown to provide a simple way to qualitatively identify significant features in the development of the block, including scale interactions and diabatic processes.

Morgan, Michael C.↗

NASA NTRS1993

A semi-Lagrangian approach to the shallow water equation

We present a formulation of the shallow water equations that emphasizes the conservation of potential vorticity. A locally conservative semi-Lagrangian time-stepping scheme is developed, which leads to a system of three coupled PDE's to be solved at each time level. We describe a smoothing analysis of these equations, on which an effective multigrid solver is constructed. Some results from applying this solver to the static version of these equations are presented.

Bates, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Meso-beta scale numerical simulation studies of terrain-induced jet streak mass and momentum perturbations

An in-depth analysis of observed gravity waves and their relationship to precipitation bands over the Montana mesonetwork during the 11-12 July 1981 CCOPE case study indicated two episodes of coherent waves. While geostrophic adjustment, shearing instability, and terrain were all implicated separately or in combination as possible wave generation mechanisms, the lack of upper-air data within the wave genesis region made it difficult to define the genesis processes from observations alone. The first part of this paper, 3D Numerical Modeling Studies of Terrain-Induced Mass/Momentum Perturbations, employs a mesoscale numerical model to help diagnose the intricate early wave generation mechanisms during the first observed gravity wave episode. The meso-beta scale numerical model is used to study various simulations of the role of multiple geostrophic adjustment processes in focusing a region for gravity wave genesis. The second part of this paper, Linear Theory and Theoretical Modeling, investigates the response of non-resting rotating homogeneous and continuously stratified Boussinesq models of the terrestrial atmosphere to temporally impulsive and uniformly propagating three-dimensional localized zonal momentum sources representative of midlatitude jet streaks. The methods of linear perturbation theory applied to the potential vorticity (PV) and wave field equations are used to study the geostrophic adjustment dynamics. The total zonal and meridional wind perturbations are separated into geostrophic and ageostrophic components in order to define and follow the evolution of both the primary and secondary mesocirculations accompanying midlatitude jetogenesis forced by geostrophic adjustment processes. This problem is addressed to help fill the gap in understanding the dynamics and structure of mesoscale inertia-gravity waves forced by geostrophic adjustment processes in simple two-dimensional quiescent current systems and those produced by mesoscale numerical models simulating the orographic and diabatic perturbation of three-dimensional quasi-geostrophically balanced synoptic scale jet streaks associated with complex baroclinic severe storm producing environments.

Lin, Yuh-Lang↗