Energetics of wave propagation leading to frost events in South America: extratropical latitudes

Abstract

The dynamics of wave propagation and energy associated with frosts in extratropical versus tropical South American latitudes is studied. A double wave train propagates through the southern hemisphere following the polar and subtropical jets. If, in the previous day, both trains coincide in phase over the southeast Pacific (southwest Atlantic) Oceans, it will contribute to generate generalized frosts (strong frosts) at extratropical (tropical) latitudes, not affecting tropical (extratropical) latitudes given the wave train zonal propagation. The vertically averaged eddy kinetic energy composites show three maxima associated with those trains over the South Pacific Ocean and South American region.