A Formal Theory for Vortex Rossby Waves and Vortex Evolution |
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Authors: | James C McWilliams Lee P Graves Michael T Montgomery |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Atmospheric Sciences and Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics , University of California , Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1565;2. Department of Atmospheric Science , Colorado State University , Fort Collins, CO, 80523 |
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Abstract: | A formal theory is presented for the balanced evolution of a small-amplitude, small-scale wave field in the presence of an axisymmetric vortex initially in gradient-wind balance and the accompanying changes induced in the vortex by the azimuthally averaged wave fluxes. The theory is a multi-parameter, asymptotic perturbation expansion for the conservative, rotating, f-plane, shallow-water equations. It extends previous work on Rossby-wave dynamics in vortices and more generally provides a new perspective on wave/mean-flow interaction in finite Rossby-number regimes. Some illustrative solutions are presented for a perturbed vortex undergoing axisymmetrization. |
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Keywords: | Vortex Dynamics Wave-mean Flow Interaction Vortex Rossby Waves |
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