
An Introduction to Atmospheric Gravity Waves
Resources
Description
Key Features
- Companion web site features animations and streaming video
- Foreword by George Chimonas, a renowned expert on the interactions of gravity waves with turbulence
- Includes a new application-based component for use in climate and weather predictions
Readership
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Preface
Fundamentals
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Some Wave Mechanics
1.3 The Buoyant Force
1.4 The Boussinesq Approximation
Problems
The Linear Theory
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Taylor– Goldstein Equation
2.3 A Simple Solution
2.4 The WKB or “ Slowly Varying” Method
2.5 Energetics
Problems
Mountain Waves
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Uniform Flow Over a Surface Corrugation
3.3 The Two-Dimensional Mountain
3.4 The Three-Dimensional Mountain
3.5 Nonorographic Gravity Waves
Problems
Ducted Gravity Waves
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Wave Reflection and Refraction at an Elevated Layer
4.3 Wave Trapping, Energy Flux, and Wave Resonance
4.4 Reflection at the Ground Surface
4.5 Wave Ducts
Problems
Gravity Wave Instability and Turbulence
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Parcel Exchange Analysis of Flow Stability
5.3 Wave Instability
5.4 The Critical Level
5.5 Neutral, Stable, and Unstable Modes
5.6 Wave-Modulated Richardson Number
5.7 Wave–Turbulence Coupling
5.8 Jefferys’ Roll-Wave Instability Mechanism
Problems
Wave Stress
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Mathematical Derivation
6.3 Variation of Wave Stress with Height
6.4 Mountain Wave Stress
6.5 Secondary Effects of Wave Drag
Problems
Gravity Waves in the Middle and Upper Atmosphere
1 Introduction
2 Background
3 Interia-Gravity Waves in the Middle Atmosphere
4 Planetary Waves in the Middle Atmosphere
5 Midlatitude Wave Spectra
6 Modeling the Gravity Wave Fluxes in the MUA
Problems
Wave Stress Parameterization
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Wave-Saturation Parameterization
8.3 Parameterization Methods
8.4 Saturation Limits and Other Problems
8.5 Problems
Observations and Measurements of Gravity Waves
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Ground-Based Measurements
9.3 Free-Balloon Soundings
9.4 Remote Measurements
Problems
Gravity Wave Analyses
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Analyses of Tropospheric Gravity Waves
10.3 Gravity Wave Analyses in the MUA
Problems
The Hydrostatic Atmosphere
A.1 The Hydrostatic Approximation
A.2 The Scale Height of the Isothermal Atmosphere
A.3 Adiabatic Lapse Rate
A.4 Potential Temperature
A.5 Boussinesq Relations
A.6 The Geostrophic Wind
A.7 The Critical Level
A.8 Convolution
A.9 The Eckman Wind Spiral
A.10 Numerical Methods
Bibliography
Index
IG Series
Product details
- No. of pages: 400
- Language: English
- Copyright: © Academic Press 2012
- Published: September 28, 2012
- Imprint: Academic Press
- Hardcover ISBN: 9780123852236
- eBook ISBN: 9780123852243
About the Author
Carmen Nappo

Affiliations and Expertise
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