Nonlinear baroclinic adjustment

Abstract

The concept of baroclinic adjustment is reexamined in the context of a fully nonlinear two-layer model on a β-plane. Based on our results we propose a single, conceptually very simple mechanism of the nonlinear equilibration of waves and the mean flow, which we term "nonlinear baroclinic adjustment.' The new concept appears applicable to cases that currently require different explanations, varying from case to case, to account for the equilibration of the mean temperature gradient in the presence of external driving. -Authors