Coherent wave-zonal mean flow interactions in the troposphere

Observational data from seven years of operational daily global analyses are studied, along with data from the NCAR general circulation model. Observed zonal mean zonal wind and temperature tendencies are compared with analyzed adiabatic forcing terms. Although significant correlations are found throughout the extratropics, there are significant equation residuals in both operational analyses and model data. Coherent wave-zonal mean flow interactions are revealed via cross-correlation analyses, including fluctuations in zonal mean temperature, three-dimensional winds, and quadratic wave quantities. Equatorward propagating wavelike patterns in the meridional plane are observed for both zonal wind and temperature tendencies. These patterns result from midlatitude baroclinic-wave life cycles, and the signatures associated with wave growth and decay are revealed with novel detail. -from Author