Coherent Structures in a Baroclinic Atmosphere. Part II: A Truncated Model Approach

Abstract

Abstract Many recent studies have been devoted to atmospheric Patterns that persist beyond the synoptic time scale, such as those known as blocking events. In the present paper we explore the possibility that blocking patterns can be modeled with a local approach. We propose a truncated model that is a time-dependent, highly nonlinear extension of our earlier analytical theory. In this theory, stationary coherent structures were found as asymptotic solutions of the inviscid, quasi-geostrophic potential vorticity equation with a mean zonal wind with vertical and horizontal shear, in the limit of weak dispersion and weak nonlinearity. The truncated model is obtained by projecting the potential vorticity equation onto the orthonormal basis defined by the lowest order problem of the asymptotic theory and then suitably truncating the number of modes. The time-evolution of the model is investigated numerically with different truncations. The steady solutions were antisymmetric dipoles, with the anticyclone nort...