baroclinic

views updated May 08 2018

baroclinic
1. Applied to an atmospheric condition in which isobaric and constant-density surfaces are not parallel, e.g. in a frontal zone.

2. Applied to a state in the ocean in which the surfaces of constant pressure intersect surfaces of constant density. In this situation, the water density gradient depends on water properties (temperature and salinity) as well as pressure (depth). This can be contrasted with the barotropic situation.

baroclinic

views updated May 17 2018

baroclinic
1. Applied to an atmospheric condition in which isobaric and constant-density surfaces are not parallel (e.g. in a frontal zone).

2. Applied to a state in the ocean in which the surfaces of constant pressure intersect surfaces of constant density. In this situation, the water density gradient depends on water properties (temperature and salinity) as well as pressure (depth). This can be contrasted with the barotropic situation.

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