Radiative and Photochemical Processes in Mesospheric Dynamics. Part III, Stability of a Zonal Vortex at Mid-Latitudes to Axially Symmetric Disturbances

Richard S. Lindzen Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

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Abstract

The stability of a baroclinic, axially symmetric vortex on an f-plane to axially symmetric disturbances is investigated. It is found that with photochemistry and radiative transfer acting, such disturbances are unstable regardless of the value of the Richardson number. The growth rates under conditions relevant to the mesosphere are, however, very small.

Abstract

The stability of a baroclinic, axially symmetric vortex on an f-plane to axially symmetric disturbances is investigated. It is found that with photochemistry and radiative transfer acting, such disturbances are unstable regardless of the value of the Richardson number. The growth rates under conditions relevant to the mesosphere are, however, very small.

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