Baroclinicity, and baroclinic instability, are defined here.
Rotating table with test annulus. Experimental parameters are set here.
The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate the maintenance of baroclinic instability in a rotating annulus filled with water. The inner wall of the annulus is in contact with ice while the outer wall is warmed by circulating warm water from an external reservoir. The temperature gradient produces a pressure gradient that causes a radial flow (i.e., north-to-south). However, because the annulus is rotating that radial flow transforms into a concentrated, azimuthal jet (i.e., west-to-east). Further, that jet develops an instability that results in the production of large eddy-like features (i.e., storm systems). The laboratory features so generated can be compared with those observed in the real atmosphere and oceans.
Laboratory experiment results are reported below:
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