The Development of Fluid Model Analogues of Atmospheric Circulations

Abstract

During this quarter experimental studies of frictional boundary layer circulations with the use of the large rotating tank have made rapid progress with th discovery of the existence of a critical Reynolds number for the flow in an Ekman boundary layer. The successful demonstration of the organized formation of roll vortices when boundary layers in the rotating system become unstable has lead to considerable speculation as to the possibility of simUar phenomenon in the atmosphere and has given increased significance to the experimental studies. MOdUicattons of the thermal convection apparatus have continued in an attempt to perfect the apparatus for carefully controlled experiments. Mr. Hjalmar Nelson worked for the latter two months Of the period, and has nearly completed the revised apparatus.