Computations of the vertical motion and atmospheric energetics using omega and thermodynamic equations for a case study of a depression (September 1985)

Abstract

The vertical velocity and diabatic heating have been computed at 200 mb, 400 mb, 600 mb and 800 mb surfaces through the solution of omega and thermodynamic energy equations using real data of the depression (September 1985) over the Indian monsoon region and its vertical structure were presented. The contribution of vertical motion due to sensible and latent heat was observed to be the highest, and the least being the adiabatic vertical motion which was less than 4%. Generation, conversion and dissipation of available potential energy and kinetic energy have been computed at different isobaric surfaces. In the lower troposphere, eddy kinetic energy acted as a source to eddy available potential energy whereas eddy available potential energy acted as a source to eddy kinetic energy in the upper troposphere. Downward transfer of eddy kinetic energy from upper to lower troposphere may be associated with the cyclonic circulation. The intense phase of the cyclonic circulation resulted in an increase in destruction of eddy kinetic energy in the lower troposphere.