ANALYTIC SOLUTIONS OF THE NONLINEAR OMEGA AND VORTICITY EQUATIONS FOR A STRUCTURALLY SIMPLE MODEL OF DISTURBANCES IN THE BAROCLINIC WESTERLIES

Abstract

Abstract Exact solutions of the nonlinear quasi-geostrophic omega and vorticity equations yield three-dimensional fields of vertical motion and geopotential tendency for a structurally simple model of cyclonic and anticyclonic disturbances in the baroclinic westerlies. Information derived from these fields is consistent in many respects with the results of classical analyses of baroclinic instability, but is more detailed. The present results seem entirely reasonable synoptically. New findings are (1) that in most instances a surface cyclone should move to the right (and an anticyclone to the left) of the upper flow over the center and (2) that the rate of deepening provided by the present physical theory probably does not account for observed instances of explosive cyclogenesis.