scholarly journals Nonlinear generation of long waves and the reversal of eddy momentum fluxes in a two-layer quasi-geostrophic model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsung-Lin Hsieh ◽  
Chiung-Yin Chang ◽  
Isaac M. Held ◽  
Pablo Zurita-Gotor
Keyword(s):  
Momentum Flux ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Wave Interaction ◽  
Long Waves ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Flux Divergence ◽  
Frictional Drag ◽  
Wave Interactions ◽  
Nonlinear Generation ◽  
Momentum Fluxes

AbstractAlthough classical theories of midlatitude momentum fluxes focus on the wave-mean flow interaction, wave-wave interactions may be important for generating long waves. It is shown in this study that this nonlinear generation has implications for eddy momentum fluxes in some regimes. Using a two-layer quasi-geostrophic model of a baroclinic jet on a β-plane, statistically steady states are explored in which the vertically integrated eddy momentum flux is divergent at the center of the jet, rather than convergent as in Earth-like climates. One moves towards this less familiar climate from more Earth-like settings by reducing either β, frictional drag, or the width of the baroclinic zone, or by increasing the upper bound of resolvable wavelengths by lengthening the zonal channel. Even in Earth-like settings, long waves diverge momentum from the jet, but they are too weak to compete with short unstable waves that converge momentum. We argue that long waves are generated by breaking of short unstable waves near their critical latitudes, where long waves converge momentum while diverging momentum at the center of the jet. Quasi-linear models with no wave-wave interaction can qualitatively capture the Earth-like regime but not the regime with momentum flux divergence at the center of the jet, because the nonlinear wave breaking and long wave generation processes are missing. Therefore, a more comprehensive theory of atmospheric eddy momentum fluxes should take into account the nonlinear dynamics of long waves.

scholarly journals Mesospheric gravity wave activity estimated via airglow imagery, multistatic meteor radar, and SABER data taken during the SIMONe–2018 campaign

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Vargas ◽  
Jorge L. Chau ◽  
Harikrishnan Charuvil Asokan ◽  
Michael Gerding
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Momentum Flux ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Lower Thermosphere ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Meteor Radar ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Horizontal Scale ◽  
Momentum Fluxes ◽  
Mesosphere And Lower Thermosphere

Abstract. We describe in this study the analysis of small and large horizontal scale gravity waves from datasets composed of images from multiple mesospheric nightglow emissions as well as multistatic specular meteor radar (MSMR) winds collected in early November 2018, during the SIMONe–2018 campaign. These ground-based measurements are supported by temperature and neutral density profiles from TIMED/SABER satellite in orbits near Kühlungsborn, northern Germany (54.1° N, 11.8° E). The scientific goals here include the characterization of gravity waves and their interaction with the mean flow in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere and their relationship to dynamical conditions in the lower and upper atmosphere. We obtain intrinsic parameters of small and large horizontal scale gravity waves and characterize their impact in the mesosphere region via momentum flux and flux divergence estimations. We have verified that a small percent of the detected wave events are responsible for most of the momentum flux measured during the campaign from oscillations seen in the airglow brightness and MSMR winds. From the analysis of small-scale gravity waves in airglow images, we have found wave momentum fluxes ranging from 0.38 to 24.74 m2/s2 (0.88 ± 0.73 m2/s2 on average), with a total of 586.96 m2/s2 (sum over all 362 detected waves). However, small horizontal scale waves with flux > 3 m2/s2 (11 % of the events) transport 50 % of the total measured flux. Likewise, wave events having flux > 10 m2/s2 (2 % of the events) transport 20 % of the total flux. The examination of two large-scale waves seen simultaneously in airglow keograms and MSMR winds revealed relative amplitudes > 35 %, which translates into momentum fluxes of 21.2–29.6 m/s. In terms of gravity wave–mean flow interactions, these high momentum flux waves could cause decelerations of 22–41 m/s/day (small-scale waves) and 38–43 m/s/day (large-scale waves) if breaking or dissipating within short distances in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region. The dominant large-scale waves might be the result of secondary gravity excited from imbalanced flow in the stratosphere caused by primary wave breaking.

scholarly journals Seasonal Variations of High-Frequency Gravity Wave Momentum Fluxes and Their Forcing toward Zonal Winds in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere over Langfang, China (39.4° N, 116.7° E)

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1253
Author(s):  
Caixia Tian ◽  
Xiong Hu ◽  
Yurong Liu ◽  
Xuan Cheng ◽  
Zhaoai Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Momentum Flux ◽  
Lower Thermosphere ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Zonal Winds ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Momentum Fluxes ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mesosphere And Lower Thermosphere

Meteor radar data collected over Langfang, China (39.4° N, 116.7° E) were used to estimate the momentum flux of short-period (less than 2 h) gravity waves (GWs) in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT), using the Hocking (2005) analysis technique. Seasonal variations in GW momentum flux exhibited annual oscillation (AO), semiannual oscillation (SAO), and quasi-4-month oscillation. Quantitative estimations of GW forcing toward the mean zonal flow were provided using the determined GW momentum flux. The mean flow acceleration estimated from the divergence of this flux was compared with the observed acceleration of zonal winds displaying SAO and quasi-4-month oscillations. These comparisons were used to analyze the contribution of zonal momentum fluxes of SAO and quasi-4-month oscillations to zonal winds. The estimated acceleration from high-frequency GWs was in the same direction as the observed acceleration of zonal winds for quasi-4-month oscillation winds, with GWs contributing more than 69%. The estimated acceleration due to Coriolis forces to the zonal wind was studied; the findings were opposite to the estimated acceleration of high-frequency GWs for quasi-4-month oscillation winds. The significance of this study lies in estimating and quantifying the contribution of the GW momentum fluxes to zonal winds with quasi-4-month periods over mid-latitude regions for the first time.

The Influence of Vertical Wind Shear on the Evolution of Mountain-Wave Momentum Flux

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 749-756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale R. Durran ◽  
Maximo Q. Menchaca
Keyword(s):  
Momentum Flux ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Vertical Wind Shear ◽  
Vertical Shear ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Mountain Wave ◽  
Flow Acceleration ◽  
Momentum Fluxes ◽  
Vertically Propagating ◽  
Wave Momentum

Abstract The influence of vertical shear on the evolution of mountain-wave momentum fluxes in time-varying cross-mountain flows is investigated by numerical simulation and analyzed using ray tracing and the WKB approximation. The previously documented tendency of momentum fluxes to be strongest during periods of large-scale cross-mountain flow acceleration can be eliminated when the cross-mountain wind increases strongly with height. In particular, the wave packet accumulation mechanism responsible for the enhancement of the momentum flux during periods of cross-mountain flow acceleration is eliminated by the tendency of the vertical group velocity to increase with height in a mean flow with strong forward shear, thereby promoting vertical separation rather than concentration of vertically propagating wave packets.

scholarly journals Mesospheric gravity wave activity estimated via airglow imagery, multistatic meteor radar, and SABER data taken during the SIMONe–2018 campaign

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 13631-13654
Author(s):  
Fabio Vargas ◽  
Jorge L. Chau ◽  
Harikrishnan Charuvil Asokan ◽  
Michael Gerding
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Wave ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Momentum Flux ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Lower Thermosphere ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Meteor Radar ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Flux Divergence ◽  
Mesosphere And Lower Thermosphere

Abstract. We describe in this study the analysis of small and large horizontal-scale gravity waves from datasets composed of images from multiple mesospheric airglow emissions as well as multistatic specular meteor radar (MSMR) winds collected in early November 2018, during the SIMONe–2018 (Spread-spectrum Interferometric Multi-static meteor radar Observing Network) campaign. These ground-based measurements are supported by temperature and neutral density profiles from TIMED/SABER (Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics/Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry) satellite in orbits near Kühlungsborn, northern Germany (54.1∘ N, 11.8∘ E). The scientific goals here include the characterization of gravity waves and their interaction with the mean flow in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere and their relationship to dynamical conditions in the lower and upper atmosphere. We have obtained intrinsic parameters of small- and large-scale gravity waves and characterized their impact in the mesosphere via momentum flux (FM) and momentum flux divergence (FD) estimations. We have verified that a small percentage of the detected wave events is responsible for most of FM measured during the campaign from oscillations seen in the airglow brightness and MSMR winds taken over 45 h during four nights of clear-sky observations. From the analysis of small-scale gravity waves (λh < 725 km) seen in airglow images, we have found FM ranging from 0.04–24.74 m2 s−2 (1.62 ± 2.70 m2 s−2 on average). However, small-scale waves with FM > 3 m2 s−2 (11 % of the events) transport 50 % of the total measured FM. Likewise, wave events of FM > 10 m2 s−2 (2 % of the events) transport 20 % of the total. The examination of large-scale waves (λh > 725 km) seen simultaneously in airglow keograms and MSMR winds revealed amplitudes > 35 %, which translates into FM = 21.2–29.6 m2 s−2. In terms of gravity-wave–mean-flow interactions, these large FM waves could cause decelerations of FD = 22–41 m s−1 d−1 (small-scale waves) and FD = 38–43 m s−1 d−1 (large-scale waves) if breaking or dissipating within short distances in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region.

A Mechanism for the Effect of Tropospheric Jet Structure on the Annular Mode–Like Response to Stratospheric Forcing

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 2152-2170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isla R. Simpson ◽  
Michael Blackburn ◽  
Joanna D. Haigh
Keyword(s):  
Momentum Flux ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Lower Latitude ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Zonal Winds ◽  
Feedback Strength ◽  
Poleward Shift ◽  
Climate Forcings ◽  
Jet Structure

Abstract For many climate forcings the dominant response of the extratropical circulation is a latitudinal shift of the tropospheric midlatitude jets. The magnitude of this response appears to depend on climatological jet latitude in general circulation models (GCMs): lower-latitude jets exhibit a larger shift. The reason for this latitude dependence is investigated for a particular forcing, heating of the equatorial stratosphere, which shifts the jet poleward. Spinup ensembles with a simplified GCM are used to examine the evolution of the response for five different jet structures. These differ in the latitude of the eddy-driven jet but have similar subtropical zonal winds. It is found that lower-latitude jets exhibit a larger response due to stronger tropospheric eddy–mean flow feedbacks. A dominant feedback responsible for enhancing the poleward shift is an enhanced equatorward refraction of the eddies, resulting in an increased momentum flux, poleward of the low-latitude critical line. The sensitivity of feedback strength to jet structure is associated with differences in the coherence of this behavior across the spectrum of eddy phase speeds. In the configurations used, the higher-latitude jets have a wider range of critical latitude locations. This reduces the coherence of the momentum flux anomalies associated with different phase speeds, with low phase speeds opposing the effect of high phase speeds. This suggests that, for a given subtropical zonal wind strength, the latitude of the eddy-driven jet affects the feedback through its influence on the width of the region of westerly winds and the range of critical latitudes on the equatorward flank of the jet.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of Jet Formation on the Giant Planets

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (11) ◽  
pp. 3652-3672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junjun Liu ◽  
Tapio Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Angular Momentum ◽  
Rossby Wave ◽  
Momentum Flux ◽  
Wave Generation ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Giant Planets ◽  
Radiative Heating ◽  
Flux Divergence ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Flow Configurations

Abstract The giant planet atmospheres exhibit alternating prograde (eastward) and retrograde (westward) jets of different speeds and widths, with an equatorial jet that is prograde on Jupiter and Saturn and retrograde on Uranus and Neptune. The jets are variously thought to be driven by differential radiative heating of the upper atmosphere or by intrinsic heat fluxes emanating from the deep interior. However, existing models cannot account for the different flow configurations on the giant planets in an energetically consistent manner. Here a three-dimensional general circulation model is used to show that the different flow configurations can be reproduced by mechanisms universal across the giant planets if differences in their radiative heating and intrinsic heat fluxes are taken into account. Whether the equatorial jet is prograde or retrograde depends on whether the deep intrinsic heat fluxes are strong enough that convection penetrates into the upper troposphere and generates strong equatorial Rossby waves there. Prograde equatorial jets result if convective Rossby wave generation is strong and low-latitude angular momentum flux divergence owing to baroclinic eddies generated off the equator is sufficiently weak (Jupiter and Saturn). Retrograde equatorial jets result if either convective Rossby wave generation is weak or absent (Uranus) or low-latitude angular momentum flux divergence owing to baroclinic eddies is sufficiently strong (Neptune). The different speeds and widths of the off-equatorial jets depend, among other factors, on the differential radiative heating of the atmosphere and the altitude of the jets, which are vertically sheared. The simulations have closed energy and angular momentum balances that are consistent with observations of the giant planets. They exhibit temperature structures closely resembling those observed and make predictions about as yet unobserved aspects of flow and temperature structures.

scholarly journals Dynamics of Extreme Stratospheric Negative Heat Flux Events in an Idealized Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 3521-3540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Etienne Dunn-Sigouin ◽  
Tiffany Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Recent Work ◽  
Wave Interaction ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Negative Events ◽  
Flow Mechanism ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Idealized Model

Recent work has shown that extreme stratospheric wave-1 negative heat flux events couple with the troposphere via an anomalous wave-1 signal. Here, a dry dynamical core model is used to investigate the dynamical mechanisms underlying the events. Ensemble spectral nudging experiments are used to isolate the role of specific dynamical components: 1) the wave-1 precursor, 2) the stratospheric zonal-mean flow, and 3) the higher-order wavenumbers. The negative events are partially reproduced when nudging the wave-1 precursor and the zonal-mean flow whereas they are not reproduced when nudging either separately. Nudging the wave-1 precursor and the higher-order wavenumbers reproduces the events, including the evolution of the stratospheric zonal-mean flow. Mechanism denial experiments, whereby one component is fixed to the climatology and others are nudged to the event evolution, suggest higher-order wavenumbers play a role by modifying the zonal-mean flow and through stratospheric wave–wave interaction. Nudging all tropospheric wave precursors (wave-1 and higher-order wavenumbers) confirms they are the source of the stratospheric waves. Nudging all stratospheric waves reproduces the tropospheric wave-1 signal. Taken together, the experiments suggest the events are consistent with downward wave propagation from the stratosphere to the troposphere and highlight the key role of higher-order wavenumbers.

Application of non-linear turbulence models in an engine-type flow configuration

2007 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. Son ◽  
T. A. Shethaji ◽  
C. J. Rutland ◽  
H Barths ◽  
A Lippert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Renormalization Group ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Modest Improvement ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Standard Linear ◽  
Simple Flows ◽  
Engine Type

Three non-linear k-ε models were implemented into the multi-dimensional computational fluid dynamics code GMTEC with the purpose of comparing them with existing linear k-ε models including renormalization group variations. The primary focus of the present study is to evaluate the potential of these non-linear models in engineering applications such as the internal combustion engine. The square duct flow and the backwards-facing step flow were two simple test cases chosen for which experimental data are available for comparison. Successful simulations for these cases were followed by simulations of an engine-type intake flow to evaluate the performance of the non-linear models in comparison with experimental data and the standard linear k-ε models as well as two renormalization group types. All the non-linear models are found to be an improvement over the standard linear model, but mostly in simple flows. For more complex flows, such as the engine-type case, only the cubic non-linear models appear to make a modest improvement in the mean flow but without any improvement in the root-mean-square values. These improvements are overshadowed by the stiffness of the cubic models and the requirements for smaller time steps. The contributions of each non-linear term to the Reynolds stress tensor are analysed in detail in order to identify the different characteristics of the different non-linear models for engine intake flows.

scholarly journals On the Wave Spectrum Generated by Tropical Heating

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 2042-2060 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Ortland ◽  
M. Joan Alexander ◽  
Alison W. Grimsdell
Keyword(s):  
Linear Models ◽  
Nonlinear Models ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Convective Heating ◽  
Temperature Structure ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Quasi Biennial Oscillation ◽  
Wave Response ◽  
Zonal Wavenumber ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Convective heating profiles are computed from one month of rainfall rate and cloud-top height measurements using global Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission and infrared cloud-top products. Estimates of the tropical wave response to this heating and the mean flow forcing by the waves are calculated using linear and nonlinear models. With a spectral resolution up to zonal wavenumber 80 and frequency up to 4 cpd, the model produces 50%–70% of the zonal wind acceleration required to drive a quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). The sensitivity of the wave spectrum to the assumed shape of the heating profile, to the mean wind and temperature structure of the tropical troposphere, and to the type of model used is also examined. The redness of the heating spectrum implies that the heating strongly projects onto Hough modes with small equivalent depth. Nonlinear models produce wave flux significantly smaller than linear models due to what appear to be dynamical processes that limit the wave amplitude. Both nonlinearity and mean winds in the lower stratosphere are effective in reducing the Rossby wave response to heating relative to the response in a linear model for a mean state at rest.

scholarly journals Energy transformations and dissipation of nonlinear internal waves over New Jersey's continental shelf

2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 345-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. L. Shroyer ◽  
J. N. Moum ◽  
J. D. Nash
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Internal Waves ◽  
Turbulent Mixing ◽  
Internal Tide ◽  
Flux Divergence ◽  
Wave Interactions ◽  
Nonlinear Internal Waves ◽  
Dissipative Loss ◽  
Peak Energy

Abstract. The energetics of large amplitude, high-frequency nonlinear internal waves (NLIWs) observed over the New Jersey continental shelf are summarized from ship and mooring data acquired in August 2006. NLIW energy was typically on the order of 105 Jm−1, and the wave dissipative loss was near 50 W m−1. However, wave energies (dissipations) were ~10 (~2) times greater than these values during a particular week-long period. In general, the leading waves in a packet grew in energy across the outer shelf, reached peak values near 40 km inshore of the shelf break, and then lost energy to turbulent mixing. Wave growth was attributed to the bore-like nature of the internal tide, as wave groups that exhibited larger long-term (lasting for a few hours) displacements of the pycnocline offshore typically had greater energy inshore. For ship-observed NLIWs, the average dissipative loss over the region of decay scaled with the peak energy in waves; extending this scaling to mooring data produces estimates of NLIW dissipative loss consistent with those made using the flux divergence of wave energy. The decay time scale of the NLIWs was approximately 12 h corresponding to a length scale of 35 km (O(100) wavelengths). Imposed on these larger scale energetic trends, were short, rapid exchanges associated with wave interactions and shoaling on a localized topographic rise. Both of these events resulted in the onset of shear instabilities and large energy loss to turbulent mixing.

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