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Multiple vortices induced by a tridimensional critical layer in a rapidly rotating vortex. (English) Zbl 1314.35192

Summary: This study aims to predict the intensification or the weakening of a rapidly rotating vortex of a hurricane or tornado type through the examination of its interaction with the waves that propagate therein. In this simplified analytical model, we consider the propagation of neutral, non-linear and singular vortex Rossby modes of a barotropic and axisymmetric vortex in the \(f\)-plane. The wave-vortex interaction is then characterized by the appearance of a secondary flow which diffuses in an asymmetric way at either side of a 3D critical layer that winds up around the vortex axis. The mean azimuthal and axial momentum change rates are proportional to the basic vorticity gradient at the critical radius and inversely proportional to the fourth power of the critical-layer thickness. For a stable basic vortex, the mean azimuthal motion decelerates.

MSC:

35Q86 PDEs in connection with geophysics
86A05 Hydrology, hydrography, oceanography
76B47 Vortex flows for incompressible inviscid fluids
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