Energy transformation and vertical flux processes over the northern hemisphere

Three integrals in the mechanical energy equation have been statistically evaluated as a function of a broad division of eddies in the atmosphere over the northern hemisphere for January and April 1958. The integral of the product of the instantaneous pressure change and the specific volume exhibits two significant positive (potential to kinetic energy) modes, one in the boundary region from 1000 to 850 millibars and the other in the middle troposphere from 700 to 500 millibars. The integral values of the product of the instantaneous pressure change and the potential energy are about an order of magnitude larger than the values computed for the integral representing the transport of kinetic energy. The three integral values were introduced into the mechanical energy equation and the residual was taken, ideally at least, to represent the dissipation rate for the horizontal kinetic energy within various regions of the atmosphere up to 50 millibars. These dissipation rates compare favorably with the appropriate estimates by Brunt.