Wave transience in a compressible atmosphere. Part II: transient equatorial waves in the quasi-biennial oscillation.

Abstract

The Holton-Lindzen (1972) theory of the quasi-biennial oscillation is reevaluated in the light of some recent developments in the theory of wave, mean-flow interaction due to Andrews and McIntyre (1976). These developments suggest that wave transience should be regarded as the primary cause of the oscillation, in a chronological sense, with wave absorption providing an essential, but chronologically secondary cause. -from Author