Abstract
It has been demonstrated in recent years that mesoscale systems in the lower troposphere play an important part in local weather phenomena. Theory predicts, and some observations have verified, the presence of small-scale perturbations in the upper troposphere as well. However, the upper-air observational network is inadequate to clearly demonstrate the nature of these perturbations. Moreover, since most theoretical treatments have been concerned with macroscale systems, the smaller scale disturbances have been filtered out of the mathematical schemes as unwanted "noise". Thus, very little is known about the possible influence of small-scale systems in the upper troposphere on surface conditions, cloud formations, or clear air turbulence. Temperature and wind traces gathered on Project Jet Stream flights have clearly shown the presence of mesoscale systems in the vicinity of the upper tropospheric jet stream. Unfortunately, in general the flight patterns were not suitable for delineation of the shape, dimensions, and motions of the disturbing systems from the data alone. In the present work, an attempt is made to gain some insight into the nature of the small-scale perturbations of the troposphere through a theoretical development which is then used in a comparative examination of data gathered on a Project Jet stream Flight.
Brundige, Kenneth Cloud (1961). Small-scale stable perturbations in a baroclinic atmosphere. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -171517.