Lateral Boundaries and the Heat‐Induced Flow In the Tropical Atmosphere

The effect on the heat‐induced circulation of lateral vertical boundaries is studied by means of a simple model. the basic state in the absence of boundaries is a Hadley circulation driven by a narrow band of heating at a specified latitude. Lateral friction is included in the model. This has little effect on the meridional circulation but smooths out the zonal flow. the eastern boundary modifies the Hadley flow through planetary waves needed to make the flow at the boundary meridional, and the flow pattern is similar to that of the east Pacific trades. the western boundary generates a Kelvin wave in order to make the total flux normal to the boundary vanish. This can give rise to patterns similar to those encountered in the Indian Ocean.