Energetics of African wave disturbances derived from the FSU Global Spectral Model

Summary The FSU Global Spectral Model including comprehensive physical parameterization and high resolution (T 106) is used to make predictions to 48 hours for two cases of African easterly wave disturbances which occurred during FGGE. Model output is compared with FGGE III-b analyses to qualitatively assess the model's performance. The results of energetics calculations for the two case studies are included in this study. These calculations are based on model output to 24 hours. The energetics results confirm that combined barotropic/baroclinic instability provides the primary energy source for the African waves. Such energetics results, based on individual case studies, also provide an interesting and valuable comparison with compositing studies on African waves. An aspect of this study deals with the definition of a double jet stream structure at 700 mb for the two cases under consideration. The energetics patierns in zones to the north and south of each of these jets are separately portrayed.With 15 Figures