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Atmospheric solitary waves: some applications to the morning glory of the Gulf of Carpentaria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2006

Lawrence K. Forbes  and
Shaun R. Belward
Lawrence K. Forbes
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
Shaun R. Belward
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, James Cook University of North Queensland, Townsville 4811, Australia
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Abstract

A mathematical model is proposed to describe atmospheric solitary waves at the interface between a ‘shallow’ layer of fluid near the ground and a stationary upper layer of compressible air. The lower layer is in motion relative to the ground, perhaps as a result of a distant thunderstorm or a sea breeze, and possesses constant vorticity. The upper fluid is compressible and isothermal, so that its density and pressure both decrease exponentially with height. The profile and speed of the solitary wave are determined, for a wave of given amplitude, using a boundary-integral method. Results are discussed in relation to the ‘morning glory’, which is a remarkable meteorological phenomenon evident in the far north of Australia.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 321 , 25 August 1996 , pp. 137 - 155
Copyright
© 1996 Cambridge University Press

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