β-plane Approximation · Planetary Waves · Phase vs Group Velocity
Wave Parameters
Dispersion
ω (freq)—
cₚˣ (phase vel)—
cᵍˣ (group vel)—
cᵍʸ (group vel y)—
Stationary? (ω=0)—
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Rossby wave dispersion:
ω = Uk − βk/(k²+l²)
Phase vel: cₚ = ω/k
Group vel: cᵍˣ = U − β(k²−l²)/(k²+l²)²
Stationary waves: U = β/(k²+l²). Rossby waves always propagate westward relative to mean flow. They're responsible for blocking events and jet stream meanders.