The structure and motion of the atmospheric planetary waves were studied using a simple time filter and the method of characteristic patterns. Three universal pressure modes are found, independent of the zonal and meridional wavenumbers and of the speed of the wave: modes 1 and 3 have a large vertical mean value, and move with a speed close to the Rossby-Haurwitz speed of the dominant meridional characteristic pattern. The strongly divergent vertical mode 2 has a mean velocity close to the solid rotation of the atmosphere in the longest waves, and close to the Rossby-Haurwitz velocity in the short waves.Four meridional characteristic patterns are universal for the fastest moving waves, but individual meridional structures are found for modes forced by the seasonal cycle and by the interactions of the fast moving modes.Typical periods for the exchange of energy between modes are much shorter than the typical periods of fluctuations in the observed phase velocities.
The structure and motion of the atmospheric planetary waves were studied using a simple time filter and the method of characteristic patterns. Three universal pressure modes are found, independent of the zonal and meridional wavenumbers and of the speed of the wave: modes 1 and 3 have a large vertical mean value, and move with a speed close to the Rossby‐Haurwitz speed of the dominant meridional characteristic pattern. The strongly divergent vertical mode 2 has a mean velocity close to the solid rotation of the atmosphere in the longest waves, and close to the Rossby‐Haurwitz velocity in the short waves.
Four meridional characteristic patterns are universal for the fastest moving waves, but individual meridional structures are found for modes forced by the seasonal cycle and by the interactions of the fast moving modes.
Typical periods for the exchange of energy between modes are much shorter than the typical periods of fluctuations in the observed phase velocities.
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