9317485, PI-Vallis, "Eddies and the Large Scale Structure of the Atmosphere": The overall goal of this grant will be to investigate the principal factors determining the large to synoptic scale structure of the atmosphere, with particular attention given to the interaction of synoptic eddies and the large scale circulation. The research will consist of two main thrusts: (1) a study of the dynamics and importance of nonlinear energy and enstrophy cascades and (2) a study of how synoptic eddies affect the large scale mean structure of the atmosphere. Several models of differing complexity will be used in this studies. In addition, the PI will conduct a systematic, more generic, study of the formulation and use of economical dynamical models for atmosphere and climate studies.
