Spectral analysis of traveling planetary scale waves: Vertical structure in middle latitudes of Northern Hemisphere

Abstract

Results of analysis of about three years of Northern Hemisphere geopotential data, from 850 to 10 mb, using a technique of discrete spectral analysis of traveling waves are presented. The vertical structure of the traveling planetary scale waves (zonal wave-numbers 1 and 2) in middle latitudes is described. The implications of the results in regard to vertical energy propagation are discussed. The waves are approximately barotropic, with relatively small variation of phase with height, for frequencies from 1/2 to about 8 cycles per month. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1973.tb00619.x