An Iterative Method for Altering the Kinematic Properties of Wind Fields

Abstract

Grid-point values of eastward and northward wind components imply that specific fields of divergence, vorticity and deformation exist. For certain purposes, one may wish to change the winds slightly to make them non-divergent, or to make them conform to fields of vorticity or deformation somewhat different than the original values. Control over the kinematic properties of a wind field can be exercised by the procedure given in this paper. The desired wind fields are obtained by a point iterative method applied to the two simultaneous linear partial differential equations that define horizontal divergence and relative vorticity, or stretching and shearing deformation. Some possible applications of this technique in analysis and forecasting are described briefly.