Accession Number:

AD0770599

Title:

Analysis of the Rhythmic Variation of the Hadley Circulation over the Pacific during 1963-67.

Descriptive Note:

Interim technical rept. Sep 72-Aug 73,

Corporate Author:

CALIFORNIA UNIV LOS ANGELES DEPT OF METEOROLOGY

Personal Author(s):

• Bjerknes,Jacob A. B.

Report Date:

1973-09-01

Pagination or Media Count:

38.0

Abstract:

During 1963-67 the mid-Pacific equatorial ocean exhibited a sequence of rhythmic changes of temperature of approximately two-year periodicity. The atmospheric Hadley Circulation responded with increased intensity when the equatorial waters were at their highest temperature. In the present paper the tropical rhythms are described in more detail with Canton Island aeroological time series showing the thermal forcing from the ocean spreading upward to the upper troposphere. An additional study of the zonal component of upper winds at Canton Island, 2 deg 48 min S, Johnston Island 16 deg 45 min N and NANDI, Fiji Islands, 17 deg 45 min S, shows that maximum cyclonic zonal wind shear and by implication maximum cyclonic vorticity occur in the lower troposphere of the tropical belt of both hemispheres at the times of maximum equatorial sea temperature. Modified author abstract

Descriptors:

• *Atmospheric motion
• *Pacific Ocean
• *Troposphere
• Wind shear
• Atmospheric temperature
• Ocean surface
• Surface temperature
• Atmospheric sounding
• Time series analysis
• Air Water interactions
• Cooling
• Heating
• Canton Island
• Johnston Island

Subject Categories:

• Meteorology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE