Abstract
AbstractAnalysis of a simple two‐level linearized baroclinic model shows that the effects of surface friction are quite significant with respect to the growth characteristics of harmonic waves. As expected, friction generally tends to reduce the amplification; however, some waves on the fringes of the unstable band which would otherwise be stable may amplify with friction. Increasing the drag coefficient has a similar effect on amplification as decreasing the thermal wind. A wave solution, comprised of two stable components travelling at different speeds, may amplify temporarily due to the resulting interference pattern which exhibits a periodic amplitude and propagation speed.The phase difference between the thermal and pressure waves is also markedly affected by the friction; for example, for the drag coefficients used, the limiting phase difference may differ by as much as 40° from the frictionless case.
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