On the interpretation of geopotential height tendency equations

Abstract

The conceptual model for height tendency presented by Hirschberg and Fritsch directly links upper-level virtual temperature tendency with low-level height tendency, overlooking the essential dynamics of mass divergence. An analysis of the complete height tendency equation shows that upper-level virtual temperature change can only indirectly induce low-level height change by driving ageostrophic circulations. To avoid misconceptions about middle- and lower-tropospheric height tendency, the dynamics of height tendency are reviewed. -Authors