Rossby parameter

Rossby parameter

The Rossby parameter is a number used in geophysics and meteorology which arises due to the northward variation of the Coriolis force caused by the spherical shape of the Earth. It is important in the generation of Rossby waves.

The Rossby parameter eta is given by the equation:

:eta = frac{1}{a} frac{d}{dphi} (2 omega sinphi) = frac{2omega cosphi}{a} [ [http://amsglossary.allenpress.com/glossary/search?id=rossby-parameter1 Glossary of Meteorology] , American Meteorological Society.] [ [http://mesolab.meas.ncsu.edu/~linyl/mea713/Ch1_Note.doc Lecture Notes] for Atmospheric Science Mesoscale Dynamics (MEA 713). North Carolina State University. Accessed 14 July 2007.]

Where phi is the latitude, omega is the angular speed of the Earth's rotation, and a is the mean radius of the Earth.

Although both involve Coriolis effects, the Rossby parameter describes the "variation" of the effects with latitude (hence the latitudinal derivative), and should not be confused with the Rossby number.

References


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