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39.9.5 Overturning streamfunction in the $(\phi ,z)$ plane

For those running z-level models such as MOM, the simplest choice for vertical coordinate is s=z, where z is the time independent height of the constant depth surfaces. Derivatives of the streamfunction yield the zonally integrated Eulerian meridional and vertical transport

$\displaystyle -\partial_{z} \psi(\phi,z,t)$ = $\displaystyle a \, \cos\phi \, \int d\lambda \; v(\lambda,\phi,z,t)$ (39.148)
$\displaystyle a^{-1} \, \partial_{\phi} \psi(\phi,z,t)$ = $\displaystyle a \, \cos\phi \, \int d\lambda \; w(\lambda,\phi,z,t),$ (39.149)

and the streamfunction from equation (39.142) is given by
$\displaystyle \psi(\phi,z,t)$ = $\displaystyle -a \, \cos\phi \int d\lambda \int_{-H(\phi,\lambda)}^{z} dz' \; v.$ (39.150)



RC Pacanowski and SM Griffies, GFDL, Jan 2000