Alternative Solutions to the Classical Vertical Velocity Problem

Abstract

The kinematic method for determining vertical velocity ω in pressure coordinates is reviewed. Alternative objective procedures are derived for obtaining ω, and an analytical solution to the pressure-differentiated continuity equation is found. A variational formulation leads to a generalized objective adjustment for divergence estimates which yields improved, physically realistic estimates of ω. Case studies for intense mesoscale convection demonstrate the utility of an adjustment scheme based on the simplest hypothesis, namely, that the errors in divergence estimates are a linear function of pressure.