ESS200A
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Baroclinic Instability
q Baroclinic instability is related to the
latitudinal gradient of temperature.
q The instability gives rise to wave motions
that can convert the thermal energy associated with the temperature
gradient into kinetic energy of air motion.
q This instability is the primary mechanism
to generate weather systems in midlatitudes.
(from Weather & Climate)