GENERALIZED ENERGY CONSERVATION AND UNSTABLEPERTURBATION PROPERTY IN BAROTROPIC VORTEX

Based on a barotropic vortex model, generalized energy-conserving equation was derived and two necessary conditions of basic flow destabilization are gained. These conditions correspond to generalized barotropic instability and super speed instability. They are instabilities of vortex and gravity inertial wave respectively. In order to relate to practical situation, a barotropic vortex was analyzed, the basic flow of which is similar to lower level basic wind field of tropical cyclones and the maximum wind radius of which is 500 km. The results show that generalized barotropic instability depending upon the radial gradient of relative vorticity can appear in this vortex. It can be concluded that unstable vortex Rossby wave may appear in barotropic vortex.