The Propagation and Breaking of Atmospheric Rossby Waves and Their Effects on the General Circulation

Rossby波在决定地球总体大气环流和天气模式的运动中发挥着重要作用，但Rossby波动力学的许多方面仍然知之甚少。根据这一奖项，Magnusdottir博士将探索Rossby波破裂区域是如何影响基本气流的，在这些区域，势涡混合，必须考虑非线性过程。虽然重点将放在较低纬度的对流层上层，但也将考虑平流层和平流层-对流层之间的相互作用。特别是，哈德利环流在Rossby波传播和破裂中的作用以及Rossby波的阻力将被研究。这项研究将使用一系列模型，从简单的理论模型到复杂的大气环流模型。此外，主要研究人员将研究平流层对对流层流动的动力学影响，并将通过数值模式来研究。最近的研究表明，平流层在短时间尺度上的影响可能比之前认为的更大。最后，在时间允许的情况下，Magnusdottir博士将展开一些初步工作，研究较高的海面温度对低纬度大气环流的影响。

Rossby waves play a major role in the motions that determine the Earth's general atmospheric circulation and weather patterns, but many aspects of Rossby-wave dynamics are still poorly understood. Under this award, Dr. Magnusdottir will explore how regions of Rossby wave breaking, where potential vorticity is mixed and nonlinear processes must be taken into account, affect the basic flow. While the emphasis will be on the upper troposphere in the lower latitudes, the stratosphere and stratosphere-troposphere interactions will be considered as well. In particular, the roles of the Hadley circulation on Rossby wave propagation and breaking and of Rossby wave drag will be examined. The study will employ a hierarchy of models, from simple theoretical models to complex general circulation models.In addition, the principal investigator will examine the dynamical influence of the stratosphere on tropospheric flow will be examined with a numerical model. Recent work suggests the stratosphere may have a more significant influence on short time scales than previously thought. Finally, as time permits, Dr. Magnusdottir will expand upon some preliminary work looking at the effect of higher sea surface temperatures on the atmospheric circulation at low latitudes.