On the mix-down times of dynamically active potential vorticity filaments

On the mix-down times of dynamically active potential vorticity filaments

A simple model is used to study the evolution of potential vorticity filaments, viewed in cross-section, subject to steady shear and deformation flows representative of the large-scale atmospheric circulation. It is found that the balanced, ageostrophic circulation induced by the anomalous potential...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Polvani, Lorenzo M. (Author), Esler Jr, Kenneth P (Contributor), Plumb, Raymond Alan (Contributor)
Other Authors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (Contributor), Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Program in Atmospheres, Oceans, and Climate (Contributor)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Geophysical Union (AGU), 2017-05-02T18:24:14Z.
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Summary:A simple model is used to study the evolution of potential vorticity filaments, viewed in cross-section, subject to steady shear and deformation flows representative of the large-scale atmospheric circulation. It is found that the balanced, ageostrophic circulation induced by the anomalous potential vorticity can cause the evolution of a dynamically active filament to differ substantially from that of a dynamically passive filament in a similar background flow. It is suggested that estimates of the mix-down time of material contained in atmospheric filaments need to be corrected to allow for this effect.

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