Interaction of Global-Scale Atmospheric Vortices: Modeling Based on Hamiltonian System for Antipodal Vortices on Rotating Sphere

TL;DR

This paper introduces a Hamiltonian model for antipodal vortex pairs on a rotating sphere, providing new insights into atmospheric vortex interactions and steady states relevant to atmospheric centers of action.

Contribution

It presents the first exact weak solution for antipodal vortex pairs on a rotating sphere and models their interactions, advancing understanding of atmospheric vortex dynamics.

Findings

Antipodal vortex pairs are the fundamental vortex objects on a sphere.

Derived steady-state conditions for two interacting vortices.

Applied model to analyze cyclone-anticyclone pairs over oceans.

Abstract

It is shown for the first time that only an antipodal vortex pair (APV) is the elementary singular vortex object on the sphere compatible with the hydrodynamic equations. The exact weak solution of the absolute vorticity equation on the rotating sphere is obtained in the form of Hamiltonian dynamic system for interacting APVs. This is the first model describing interaction of Barrett vortices corresponding to atmospheric centers of action (ACA). In particular, new steady-state conditions for N=2 are obtained. These analytical conditions are used for the analysis of coupled cyclone-anticyclone ACAs over oceans in the Northern Hemisphere.