Abstract
A case study is made of a period of exceptional warmth in the mid and upper troposphere over the Carib-bean from 19–21 February 1964. The case is a good example of intense winter interaction of mid-latitude and tropical circulations during which lateral forcing from higher latitudes appears to play a prominent role. For example, at 500 mb, temperatures of −1 to −2C which exhibited spacial and temporal continuity on the synoptic scale were noted. These values were more than three standard deviations warmer than monthly mean values and occurred in association with a strong low-latitude polar jet along the Gull Coast of the United States. Isentropic trajectories document average 12-hr descent rates of up to 2 cm sec−1 in the vicinity of 15N in association with the warmth area. Criteria for inertial instability is satisfied over a portion of the anti-cyclonic flank of the strong jet stream leading to a speculative case for a transverse thermally indirect circulation such that a persistent anticyclone north of Puerto Rico is strengthened. Reed and Vleck's hypothesis on the annual temperature cycle of the tropical lower stratosphere is examined on a limited basis with daily data both directly and indirectly with rather inconclusive results.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.