On the maintenance of weak meridional temperature gradients during warm climates

This thesis examines the dynamics of equable climates. The underlying physics of two mechanisms by which weak meridional temperature gradients might be maintained are studied. First, I examine the evolution of stratospheric dynamics and winter temperatures when the surface temperature gradient and tropospheric eddy energy decrease in order to assess whether large-scale conditions are more favorable for polar stratospheric cloud formation. Second, I examine whether the combination of high carbon dioxide and interactive, tropical cyclone dependent ocean mixing is sufficient to maintain a weak temperature gradient. I examine planetary wave generation, the energetics of the general circulation, and vertical wave propagation in a general circulation model with a resolved stratosphere forced with a weak surface temperature gradient. Compared to the present climate, transient eddy energy decreases, but stationary eddy energy does not. The polar tropopause rises, which supports a weaker temperature gradient in the lower stratosphere, a weaker stratospheric jet, and an increase in the wave activity vertically propagating into the stratosphere.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Korty, Robert Lindsay

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kerry A. Emanuel.

• Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/33723
• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Identifier URI

http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/33723

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/33723