The Global Circulation of the Atmosphere

by Tapio Schneider (Editor), Adam H. Sobel (Editor), Edward N. Lorenz (Foreword by)

Overview

Despite major advances in the observation and numerical simulation of the atmosphere, basic features of the Earth's climate remain poorly understood. Integrating the available data and computational resources to improve our understanding of the global circulation of the atmosphere remains a challenge. Theory must play a critical role in meeting this challenge. This book provides an authoritative summary of the state of the art on this front.

Bringing together sixteen of the field's leading experts to address those aspects of the global circulation of the atmosphere most relevant to climate, the book brings the reader up to date on the key frontiers in general circulation theory-including the nonlinear and turbulent global-scale dynamics that determine fundamental aspects of the Earth's climate. While emphasizing theory, as expressed through relatively simple mathematical models, it also draws connections to simulations with comprehensive general circulation models. Topics include the dynamics of storm tracks, interactions between wave dynamics and the hydrological cycle, monsoons, tropical and extratropical dynamics and interactions, and the processes controlling atmospheric humidity.

An essential resource for graduate students in atmospheric, ocean, and climate sciences and for researchers seeking an overview of the field, The Global Circulation of the Atmosphere sets the standard for future research in a science that stands at a critical juncture.

With a foreword by Edward Lorenz, the book includes chapters by Christopher Bretherton; Kerry Emanuel; Isaac Held; David Neelin; Raymond Pierrehumbert, Hélène Brogniez, and Rémy Roca; Alan Plumb; Walter Robinson; Tapio Schneider; Richard Seager and David Battisti; Adam Sobel; Kyle Swanson; and Pablo Zurita-Gotor and Richard Lindzen.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691236919
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	09/14/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	400
File size:	20 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Tapio Schneider is assistant professor of environmental science and engineering at the California Institute of Technology. Adam H. Sobel is associate professor of applied physics and applied mathematics and of earth and environmental sciences at Columbia University.

Table of Contents

Foreword Edward N. Lorenz vii

Preface xi

Chapter 1 Progress and Problems in Large-Scale Atmospheric Dynamics Isaac M. Held 1

Chapter 2 Theories of Baroclinic Adjustment and Eddy Equilibration Pablo Zurita-Gotor Richard S. Lindzen 22

Chapter 3 The Thermal Stratification of the Extratropical Troposphere Tapio Schneider 47

Chapter 4 Storm Track Dynamics Kyle L. Swanson 78

Chapter 5 Eddy-Mediated Interactions Between Low Latitudes and the Extratropics Waiter A. Robinson 104

Chapter 6 On the Relative Humidity of the Atmosphere Raymond T. Pierrehumbert Hélène Brogniez Rémy Roca 143

Chapter 7 Quasi-Equilibrium Dynamics of the Tropical Atmosphere Kerry Emanuel 186

Chapter 8 Simple Models of Ensemble-Averaged Tropical Precipitation and Surface Wind, Given the Sea Surface Temperature Adam H. Sobel 219

Chapter 9 Dynamical Constraints on Monsoon Circulations R. Alan Plumb 252

Chapter 10 Moist Dynamics of Tropical Convection Zones in Monsoons, Teleconnections, and Global Warming J. David Neelin 267

Chapter 11 Challenges in Numerical Modeling of Tropical Circulations Christopher S. Bretherton 302

Chapter 12 Challenges to Our Understanding of the General Circulation: Abrupt Climate Change Richard Seager David S. Battisti 331

List of Contributors 373

Index 375

What People are Saying About This

Wallace

This is an authoritative status report on the current theoretical understanding of the general circulation of the atmosphere, one that will be of value for many years to come.
— John M. Wallace, University of Washington

From the Publisher

"This is an authoritative status report on the current theoretical understanding of the general circulation of the atmosphere, one that will be of value for many years to come."—John M. Wallace, University of Washington

"This is a terrific collection of articles. The authors, all authorities in their respective subfields, provide a diverse and insightful view of the general circulation of the atmosphere, and the book as a whole makes a unique and valuable contribution to the field. It can be used profitably by graduate students and by scientists as a general resource; furthermore, journal clubs can find here a ready-made curriculum."—Geoffrey Vallis, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and Princeton University

Geoffrey Vallis

This is a terrific collection of articles. The authors, all authorities in their respective subfields, provide a diverse and insightful view of the general circulation of the atmosphere, and the book as a whole makes a unique and valuable contribution to the field. It can be used profitably by graduate students and by scientists as a general resource; furthermore, journal clubs can find here a ready-made curriculum.
— Geoffrey Vallis, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and Princeton University

Editorial Reviews

"This edited volume, derived from a three-day conference held in 2004, includes 12 comprehensive chapters covering various aspects of the global circulation. The authors are experts in their respective fields; hence the chapters are very informative."—-S.C. Pryor, Choice

"[This book] represents an outstanding aggregation of science at the forefront written by leading experts of the field. It is hard to imagine someone reading it without enhancing their insight into the fascinating field of the general circulation of the atmosphere."—-Thomas Birner, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

From the Publisher

[This book] represents an outstanding aggregation of science at the forefront written by leading experts of the field. It is hard to imagine someone reading it without enhancing their insight into the fascinating field of the general circulation of the atmosphere.

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society - Thomas Birner

This edited volume, derived from a three-day conference held in 2004, includes 12 comprehensive chapters covering various aspects of the global circulation. The authors are experts in their respective fields; hence the chapters are very informative.

Choice - S.C. Pryor

[This book] represents an outstanding aggregation of science at the forefront written by leading experts of the field. It is hard to imagine someone reading it without enhancing their insight into the fascinating field of the general circulation of the atmosphere.
— Thomas Birner

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

This edited volume, derived from a three-day conference held in 2004, includes 12 comprehensive chapters covering various aspects of the global circulation. The authors are experts in their respective fields; hence the chapters are very informative.
— S.C. Pryor

Choice