Syn met 2

a stable heat engine that dissipates thermal imbalances by generating local instabilities (eddies).

Total potential energy converted to kinetic energy and subsequently destroy by friction.

The difference between the potential energy of an atmospheric column and that of its base state (i.e., mean state of the atmosphere)

adiabatic equilibrium (i.e., no thermal gradients exist on an isobaric surface)

not the actual temp

Ascent of warm air or descent of cold air

descent of warm air or ascent of cold

corresponds to thermal and wind speed variations along a latitude circle

varies latitudinally (north south)

The meridional temp gradient (temp change along a line of longitude), is caused by differential heating of the earth's surface.

between zonal and eddy availible potential energy, and between eddy availible potential energy and eddy kinetic energy.

This stage may also involve large stationary or retrograding eddies

characterized by large waves (ridges/troughs)

Conditions in which there is a temperature gradient,but isotherms are parallel to the isobars (geopotential height contours). The thermal wind exists,but it can only alter the geostrophic wind speed, not the direction of the geostrophic wind. Seebaroclinic atmosphere, barotropic atmosphere, thermal wind

Tradeoff of relative vorticity and coriolis along a line of constant absolute vorticity

Conditions in which there may be a pressure (geopotential height) gradient, but no temperature gradient in the atmosphere. See baroclinic atmosphere,equivalent barotropic atmosphere, thermal wind

• Winds are unidirectional and increase speed with height.
• Speed shear
• No thermal advections

• Temp gradients along constant pressure surfaces.
• vertical shear
• tilted pressure trough with height
• solenoids
• migratory cyclones and frontal zones

Difference between the UL and LL geostrophic wind

difference between the UL and LL vorticity

Measures the mean strength of the mid-lat zonal geostrophic wind.