Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Lagrangian Coherent Structures near a Subtropical Jet Stream

Wenbo Tang School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

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Manikandan Mathur Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

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George Haller Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Douglas C. Hahn Air Force Research Laboratory, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts

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Frank H. Ruggiero Air Force Research Laboratory, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts

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Print Publication:
01 Jul 2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2010JAS3176.1
Page(s):
2307–2319
Restricted access

Abstract

Direct Lyapunov exponents and stability results are used to extract and distinguish Lagrangian coherent structures (LCS) from a three-dimensional atmospheric dataset generated from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The numerical model is centered at 19.78°N, 155.55°W, initialized from the Global Forecast System for the case of a subtropical jet stream near Hawaii on 12 December 2002. The LCS are identified that appear to create optical and mechanical turbulence, as evidenced by balloon data collected during a measurement campaign near Hawaii.

* Current affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

+ Current affiliation: Air Force Weather Weapon System, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts

Corresponding author address: George Haller, Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal QC H3A 2 K6, Canada. Email: george.haller@mcgill.ca

Abstract

Direct Lyapunov exponents and stability results are used to extract and distinguish Lagrangian coherent structures (LCS) from a three-dimensional atmospheric dataset generated from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The numerical model is centered at 19.78°N, 155.55°W, initialized from the Global Forecast System for the case of a subtropical jet stream near Hawaii on 12 December 2002. The LCS are identified that appear to create optical and mechanical turbulence, as evidenced by balloon data collected during a measurement campaign near Hawaii.

* Current affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

+ Current affiliation: Air Force Weather Weapon System, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts

Corresponding author address: George Haller, Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal QC H3A 2 K6, Canada. Email: george.haller@mcgill.ca

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