A note on a period of pronounced fluctuations in atmospheric energies in the Southern Hemisphere

The energy cycle over the southern hemisphere from mid-July to mid-August 1972 is examined. The energy changes throughout the period appear to accord with the classic exchange from zonal available potential, through eddy available potential to eddy kinetic energy. However, the zonal kinetic energy remains fairly constant for most of the period. The synoptic sequence during the period is illustrated using mean sea level pressure, 500 mb and 200 mb geopotential and wind speed, and 700 mb isotherm analyses, and is related to the energy changes.