The initial growth of disturbances in a baroclinic flow

摘要: Abstract The growth of perturbations in a baroclinic flow is examined as an initial value problem. Although the long time asymptotic behavior dominated by discrete exponentially growing normal modes when they exist, these do not form complete set and intensification shown to be dependent on continuous spectrum. vertical structure emerges important influence growth, physically realistic disturbances are grow amplitudes where nonlinear effects before obtaining mode form. Connection made with work Arnol'd (1965) Blumen (1968) numerical experiments Simmons Hoskins (1979). Application results cyclogenesis geographically fixed areas suggested implied constraints models discussed.