A climatic feature of the tropical Americas: The trade wind easterly jet

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Date
1998
Journal Title
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Volume Title
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Tópicos Meteorológicos y Oceanográficos
Abstract
Using data from the NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis global monthly means for the period 1982-1994, a previously not reported featura of the climate circulation of the tropical Americas is documented: The Trade Wind Easterly Jet. This jet develops in low levels (especially in 925, 850 and 700 mb) in the central part of the Caribbean Sea and from Mat to July, the wind increases to máximum and then, the mean current decreases from the later to September. Values in excess of 14 ms -1 are observed in the 925 mb zonal mean field during July. Basic dynamical estimares of horizontal wind shear show that this flow is barotropical unstable during the peak of the summer months at low levels, so, disturbances may grow from the mean kinetic energ of the flow. Cross circulations associated to the jet exit región are consistent with the low level vertical velocity (dp/dt) and a máximum of precipitation found in the earstern Carribbean near the Central American coast during the summer months.
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Keywords
NATURAL SCIENCES::Earth sciences::Atmosphere and hydrosphere sciences::Meteorology
Citation
Amador, J. (1998). A climatic feature of the tropical Americas: The trade wind easterly jet. Tópicos Meteorológicos y Oceanográficos, 5(2), 91-102