Manabe, S., J. L. Holloway Jr., and H. M Stone, 1970: Tropical circulation in a time-integration of a global model of the atmosphere. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 27 (4), 580-613.
Abstract: An analysis is made of the structure and energetics of the tropical circulation
which emerged from a numerical time integration of a global circulation
model with realistic orography. An analysis is made of the structure and
energetics of the tropical circulation which emerged from a numerical time
integration of a global circulation model with realistic orography.
Near the earth's surface, the general features of the time mean flow field
and the location of the inter-tropical convergence zone of the model compare
favorably with those of the actual atmosphere. Along the convergence zone
or shear line, disturbances with a characteristic scale of 2000-3000 km
develop and cause heavy precipitation. They tend to develop in the geographical
areas where the formation of actual tropical storms is most probable. In
the upper troposphere of the model tropics, disturbances with planetary
scale develop and are responsible for the maximum of eddy kinetic energy
there. Near the earth's surface, the general features of the time mean flow
field and the location of the inter-tropical convergence zone of the model
compare favorably with those of the actual atmosphere. Along the convergence
zone or shear line, disturbances with a characteristic scale of 2000-3000
km develop and cause heavy precipitation. They tend to develop in the geographical
areas where the formation of actual tropical storms is most probable. In
the upper troposphere of the model tropics, disturbances with planetary
scale develop and are responsible for the maximum of eddy kinetic energy
there.
In general, both the kinetic energy of the tropical cyclones and that of
the planetary-scale disturbances in the model tropics are chiefly maintained
by the conversion of available potential energy generated by the heat of
condensation. However, the planetary-scale disturbances in the upper troposphere
of the tropics seem to be also affected by various factors such as the interaction
with higher latitudes and land-sea contrast. It is noteworthy that these
disturbances transport angular momentum across the equator in the upper
troposphere and strongly affect the budget of angular momentum in the model
tropics.