Abstract
Regional characteristics of the synoptic-scale wave disturbances in the tropical lower troposphere were examined by analyzing the FGGE level III-b data. Three tropical regions, western Pacific, eastern Pacific, and a region from the African Continent to the Atlantic, were selected for the present study. Spectrum analysis, trajectory analysis and composite analysis were used to obtain characteristics of the wave disturbances for each region.
Main findings are as follows: 1.) The generation region of the western Pacific wave disturbances related to typhoon development are found around 5° N and 170° E. 2.) An interaction of the western Pacific wave disturbances with the upper Mid-Pacific trough was indicated statistically as an intensifying condition for typhoons. 3.) The wave disturbances in the eastern Pacific originate to the west of Panama and propagate west-north-westward with a period of 5.7 day and a wavelength of about 2700 km. 4.) The structure of the eastern Pacific wave disturbances is similar to that of the western Pacific disturbances. 5.) Two different paths of the African waves are found over the African Continent. The northern disturbance has a period of 4.4 days while the southern one has a period of 3.3–3.6 days. 6.) Disturbances along the northern path of the African waves are traced only to as far as 45° W, and those along the southern path are traced to the Caribbean Sea.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bengtsson, L., Kanamitsu, M., Kallberg, P. andUppsala, S. (1982),FGGE 4-dimensional data assimilation at ECMWF. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc. 63, 29–43.
Burpee, R. W. (1972),The origin and structure of easterly waves in the lower troposphere in North Afica. J. Atmos. Sci. 29, 77–90.
Burpee, R. W. (1974),Characteristics of North African easterly waves during the summers of 1968and 1969. J. Atmos. Sci. 31, 1556–1570.
Carlson, T. N. (1969),Some remarks on African disturbances and their progress over the tropical Atlantic. Mon. Wea. Rev. 97, 716–726.
McIntyre, M. E. andPalmer, T. N. (1984),The ‘Surf Zone’ in the Stratosphere. J. Atmos. Terr. Phys. 46, 825–849.
Miyakoda, K., Sheldon, J. andSiratis, J. (1982),Four-dimensional analysis experiment during the GATE period, Part II, J. Atmos. Sci. 39, 486–506.
Nitta, T., Nakagomi, Y., Suzuki, Y., Hasegawa, N. andKadokura, A. (1984),Global analysis of the lower tropospheric disturbances in the tropics during the northern summer of the FGGE year. Part I: Global Features of the disturbance. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan 63, 1–19.
Norquist, D. C., Recker, E. E. andReed, R. J. (1977),The energetics of African wave disturbances as observed during Phase III of GATE, Mon Wea. Rev. 105, 334–342.
Reed, R. J. andRecker, E. E. (1971),Structure and properties of synoptic scale wave disturbances in the equatorial western Pacific. J. Atmos. Sci. 28, 1117–1133.
Reed, R. J., Norquist, D. C. andRecker, E. E. (1977),The structure and properties of African wave disturbances as observed during Phase III of GATE, Mon. Wea. Rev. 105, 317–333.
Sadler, J. C. (1976),A role of the tropical upper tropospheric trough in easterly season typhoon development Mon. Wea. Rev. 104, 1266–1278.
Shimamura, M. (1981),The upper-tropospheric cold lows in the northwestern Pacific as revealed in the GMS satellite data, Geophys. Mag. 39, 119–156.
Shimamura, M. (1982),An application of GMS satellite data in the analysis of the upper cold low in the western North Pacific, Geophys. Mag. 40, 113–152.
Shimizu, N. (1983),Westward propagation of upper tropospheric wind disturbances during the mid-season typhoon development of 1979. Geophys. Mag. 40, 297–311.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nitta, T., Takayabu, Y. Global analysis of the lower tropospheric disturbances in the tropics during the northern summer of the FGGE year part II: Regional characteristics of the disturbances. PAGEOPH 123, 272–292 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00877023
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00877023