Moist-convective thermal rotating shallow water model

Abstract

We show how the moist-convective rotating shallow water model, where the moist convection and the related latent heat release are incorporated into the standard rotating shallow water model of the atmosphere, can be improved by introducing, in a self-consistent way, horizontal gradients of potential temperature and changes of the latter due to the condensation heating, radiative cooling, and ocean-atmosphere heat fluxes. We also construct the quasi-geostrophic limit of the model in mid-latitudes and its weak-gradient limits in the equatorial region. The capabilities of the new model are illustrated by the examples of convection-coupled gravity waves and equatorial waves produced by the relaxation of localized pressure and potential temperature anomalies in the presence of moist convection.