HR: 1330h
AN: A13A-10    [Abstracts]
TI: Easterly wave-mean flow interaction over the Caribbean Sea.
AU: * Salinas-Prieto, J A
EM: jsalinas@tlaloc.imta.mx
AF: Instituto Mexicano de Tecnologia del Agua, Paseo Cuahnahuac No. 8532 Col. Progreso, Jiutepec, Mor 62550 Mexico
AU: Magana-Rueda, V O
EM: victormr@servidor.unam.mx
AF: Centro de Ciencias de la Atmosfera, Circuito Exterior Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico, DF 04510 Mexico
AB: The interaction between easterly waves and the Caribbean low-level jet is examined, considering the barotropically unstable nature of this tropical circulation. Following a normal mode analysis, it is found that easterly waves with wavelengths around 15 (2600 km) may be rapidily amplified by taking energy from the low level jet. Diagnostics show that the dominant conversion of energy occur with the mean flow transferring energy to the transient (easterly wave). The vertical transfer of momentum appears to be the mechanisms through which easterly waves with largest amplitud at 700 hPa and the low-level jet at 925 hPa connect. The amplification of the easterly waves in the western Caribbean apperas to result in a meridional elongation of the convergence zone and consequently in a larger area where convective activity occurs. The implication of this type of wave mean flow interaction for the Caribbean and Mesoamerican region is discussed.
DE: 3300 METEOROLOGY AND ATMOSPHERIC DYNAMICS
DE: 3329 Mesoscale meteorology
DE: 3374 Tropical meteorology
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly