SIO 217C: Climate
Spring 2014
Meridional Transport and Eddies Discussion Questions
1. Explain why zonal mean motions (Hadley circulation) cannot transport energy and
momentum to high latitudes.
2. Explain why meridional eddy flux of energy tends to increase as the meridional temperature
gradient becomes large.
3. Explain why zonal mean surface wind cannot be entirely westerly or entirely easterly at all
latitudes.
4. Explain why stationary waves make a larger contribution to the meridional flux of energy
and momentum in the northern hemisphere than the southern hemisphere.
Difficult Question
5. How would the zonal mean structure and circulation of Earth’s atmosphere be different if the
Earth had a much slower rotation rate?