Abstract
In a recent publication entitled The Dynamics of Long Waves in a Baroclinic Westerly Current1 (1947) the writer pointed out that, in the study of atmospheric wave motion, the problem of integration is greatly complicated by the simultaneous existance of a discrete set of wave motions all of which satisfy the conditions of the problem, namely that the motion be simple-harmonic and of a specified wave-length. Whereas only the long inertially-propagated waves are important for the study of large-scale weather phenomena, one is forced by the generality of the equations of motion to contend with each of the theoretically possible wave types. This extreme generality whereby the equations of motion apply to the entire spectrum of possible motions — to sound waves as well as to cyclone waves — constitutes a serious defect of the equations from the meteorological point of view. It means that the investigator must take into account modifications to the large-scale motions of the atmosphere which are of little meteorological importance and which only serve to make the integration of the equations a virtual impossibility.
* Now at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Beers, N. R., 1946: Magnitude of Horizontal Divergence. J. Meteor. 3, p. 125.
Bjerknes, J., 1937: Theorie der aussertropischen Zyklonenbildung. Meteor. Z., 54, 462–466.
Brunt, D., and C. K. M. Douglas, 1928: The Modification of the Strophic Balance for Channing Pressure Distribution, and its Affect on Rainfall. Mem. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 3, 29–51.
Charney, J. G., 1947: The Dynamics of Long Waves in a Barochnic Westerly Current. J. Meteor., 4, 135–162.
Fleagle, R. G., 1946: A Study of the Effects of Divergence and Advection on Lapse Rate. J. Meteor., 3, 9–13.
6. Goldstein, S., 1938: Modern Developments in Fluid Mechanics. Oxford Univ. Press, 330 pp. (Reprinted 1943; see pp. 116–122).
Haurwitz, B., 1940: The Motion of Atmospheric Disturbances. J. Marine Res., 3, 35–50.
Haurwitz, B., 1946: On the Relation between Wind Field and Pressure Changes. J. Meteor. 3, 95–99.
Hesselberg, Th., 1915: Über eine Beziehung zwischen Druckgradient, Wind und Gradientenänderungen. Veröff. Geophys. Inst. Leipzig., Ser. 2, 1, No. 8, 207–216.
10. Holmboe, J., G. E. Forsythe, W. Gustin, 1945: Dynamic Meteorology. New York, 378 pp. (see ch. 12).
Houghton, H. G., and J. M. Austin, 1946: A Study of Non-geostrophic Flow with Applications to the Mechanism of Pressure Changes. J. Meteor., 3, 57–77.
Namias, J., and P. F. Clapp, 1946: Normal Fields of Convergence and Divergence at the 10,000 foot Level. J. Meteor., 3, 14–22.
Panofsky, H. A., 1946: Methods of Computing Vertical Motion in the Atmosphere. J. Meteor., 3, 45–49 (see footnote 2).
Philipps, H., 1939: Die Abweichung vom geostrophischen Wind. Meteor. Z., 56, 460–483.
Rossby, C.-G., and collaborators, 1939: Relation between Variations in the Intensity of the Zonal Circulation of the Atmosphere and the Displacement of the Semipermanent Centers of Action. J. Marine Res., 2, 38–55.
Rossby, C.-G., 1940: Planetary Flow Patterns in the Atmosphere. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc. 66 Supplement, 68–87.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1990 American Meteorological Society
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Charney, J.G. (1990). On the Scale of Atmospheric Motions. In: Lindzen, R.S., Lorenz, E.N., Platzman, G.W. (eds) The Atmosphere — A Challenge. American Meteorological Society, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-944970-35-2_14
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-944970-35-2_14
Publisher Name: American Meteorological Society, Boston, MA
Online ISBN: 978-1-944970-35-2
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)