Abstract
Abstract The appropriateness of using simplified versions of the equations of motion to explain the response of the atmosphere to external forcing, such as that associated with the 1982/83 El Nino, is considered. In particular, the terms in the baroclinic equations linearized about a zonal basic state or about the three-dimensional mean climatic state are evaluated, and the appropriateness of the linearization is considered with reference to the results from both the observations and a simulation with a general circulation model. A similar analysis is undertaken of the terms of the barotropic vorticity equation at 200 mb. Considerations of the specification or parameterization of the source/sink term in the simplified equations are also discussed. Generally it is found that the equations which arise when linearizing about a zonal basic state are clearly unsuitable in this case. The neglected terms are of the same order as those retained and the balances of energy and vorticity which occur in the general c...
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