Vertical Energy Flux in Planetary–Scale Waves: Observational Results

Abstract Diagnostic calculations of the vertical flux of geopotential are presented. An expression for the vertical flux is derived from the work of Eliassen and Palm for stationary and traveling components. Calculations cover 23 months at seven standard pressure levels from 850 mb to 10 mb, from 20°N to 80°N for wavenumbers 1–3. Maximum energy flux is found during the winter with minimum flux during the summer. Flux values, in general, decrease with height. Traveling waves appear to be a possible stratospheric-tropospheric energy link during the summer. Results show substantial agreement with theoretical models of vertically propagating energy. Results compare favorably with the calculations of other investigators. Flux cross sections for the minor stratosphere warming of February 1966 are examined.