This article is cited in 43 papers

REVIEWS OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS

Generation оf large-scale eddies and zonal winds in planetary atmospheres

O. G. Onishchenko^a, O. A. Pokhotelov^a, N. M. Astafieva<sup>b

a</sup> Schmidt United Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Scienses
^b Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences

Abstract: The review deals with a theoretical description of the generation of zonal winds and vortices in а turbulent barotropic atmosphere. These large-scale structures largely determine the dynamics and transport processes in planetary atmospheres. The role of nonlinear effects on the formation of mesoscale vortical structures (cyclones and anticyclones) is examined. A new mechanism for zonal wind generation in planetary atmospheres is discussed. It is based on the parametric generation of convective cells by finite-amplitude Rossby waves. Weakly turbulent spectra of Rossby waves are considered. The theoretical results are compared to the results of satellite microwave monitoring of the Earth's atmosphere.

PACS: 47.27.-i, 92.10.hf, 92.60.-e

Received: March 6, 2008

DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0178.200806c.0605

 English version: Physics–Uspekhi, 2008, 51:6, 577–589

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