Whitaker, J. S.,1993:
A comparison of primitive and balance equation simulations of baroclinic waves., J. Atmos. Sci.,
50, 1519-1530.
ABSTRACT
A comparison of primitive and balance equation simulations of baroclinic waves
Jeffrey S. Whitaker
National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO
Abstract
The balance equations are an approximate set of equations that reduce to
gradient wind balance under steady, circular flow conditions on an f-plane.
Scale analysis indicates that these equations are potentially quite accurate
over a wide variety of atmospheric conditions. Motivated by an apparent lack of
numerical solutions of this set, we compare simulations of nonlinear baroclinic
waves under adiabatic conditinos with the primitive and balance equations. As
predicted by the scale analysis, the balance equations describe the wave
evolution with very high accuracy in situations where the errors made by
approximate equations sets based upon geostrophy are significant.