Satellite Observations of Equatorial Symmetric Instability - PORSEC 2004 Satellite Observations of Near-Equatorial Symmetric Instability Gad Levy and Tim J. Dunkerton NorthWest Research Associates http://www.nwra.com/resumes/levy/papers/ November 30, 2004: PORSEC - Univesidad de Concepcion, Chile
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Satellite Observations of Near-Equatorial Symmetric Instability Gad Levy and Tim J. Dunkerton
Satellite Observations of Near-Equatorial Symmetric Instability Gad Levy and Tim J. Dunkerton NorthWest Research Associates http://www.nwra.com/resumes/levy/papers/ November 30, 2004: PORSEC - Univesidad de Concepcion, Chile. Theoretical: - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Satellite Observations of Equatorial Symmetric Instability - PORSEC 2004
Satellite Observations of Equatorial Symmetric Instability - PORSEC 2004
Modeled Vertical Structure
Satellite Observations of Equatorial Symmetric Instability - PORSEC 2004
Possible Feedback Mechanism
A significant monsoonal/SST asymmetrical forcing causes cross equatorial flow leading to unstable region north of the equator.
Northward advection (v > 0) of low angular momentum air, which crosses the equator decelerates westerly zonal flow.
Easterly momentum advected across equator is turned to the north by the Coriolis force, reinforcing the northward flow.
A vertical component to the motion caused by a two dimensional instability may drive the system back towards neutral stability by turbulent mixing, which maintains the PBL in the latitudes between the equator and the ITCZ.
Satellite Observations of Equatorial Symmetric Instability - PORSEC 2004
Summary
Remote sensors allow monitoring the low level symmetric stability of the equatorial flow and convective activity.
The two appear to be related. Remote sensing of the stress field (friction) would
allow proper modeling of the equatorial PBL, which would allow testing hypothesized feedback mechanism.