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Potential vorticity and the PV perspective

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Abstract

This paper highlights some theoretical aspects of potential vorticity (PV) and discusses some of the insights the PV perspective has given us. The topics covered include the nature of PV, its controlling role in the symmetric stability of the atmosphere, its inversion to give the flow field, Rossby waves and their coupling to give baroclinic instability, PV and midlatitude weather systems and, finally, insights into tropical motions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, Reading, UK

    Brian Hoskins

  2. Grantham Institute for Climate Change, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Brian Hoskins

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  1. Brian Hoskins
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Correspondence to Brian Hoskins.

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Hoskins, B. Potential vorticity and the PV perspective. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 32, 2–9 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-014-0007-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-014-0007-8

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