Comparative measures of potential to kinetic energy conversion

Abstract

Presented for comparison are estimates of the conversion of available potential energy to kinetic energy as obtained from three sets of objective analyses of the large-scale atmospheric motions of the northern hemisphere for January 1964. The analyses of the geopotential heights made twice daily of the 85, 70, 50, 30, and 20 cb levels are used. Relatively large differences in the energy conversion estimates as a function of the zonal wave number are found which are due solely to differences in the analyses. An estimate is also presented of the seasonal variation of the release of kinetic energy for the 85–20 cb layer. A discussion of some of the deficiencies of the techniques used is given.