Latent heat release as a possible forcing mechanism for atmospheric tides.

Abstract

The consequences of the hypothesis of Lindzen (1978) that latent heat release may be a significant excitation mechanism for the semidiurnal atmospheric tide are examined in some detail. The results of simple classical tidal theory calculations which indicate that the geographical distribution of the surface pressure response to latent heat forcing largely follows that of the forcing itself are presented. This result is then used to suggest a plausible explanation for the observed seasonal cycle of the semidiurnal pressure oscillation in midlatitudes. -from Author