Abstract
Wave solutions to the linearized, quasi-hydrostatic equations for adiabatic, nonviscous flow on an equatorially oriented beta plane are obtained. The basic current is assumed to be zonal and invariant in both space and time. Only solutions for which the meridional wind component is symmetric with respect to the equator are considered. Disturbances with wavelengths on the order of 103 km. are found to be very nearly nondivergent. The solutions show the meridional wind component to be very nearly geostrophic even at very low latitudes. The perturbation of the zonal wind, however, is highly ageostrophic at the very low latitudes and significantly ageostrophic even in subtropical latitudes.
