On deep quasi-geostrophic theory

Deep quasi-geostrophic theory applies to large-scale flow whose vertical depth scale is comparable to the potential temperature scale height. Deep equivalent barotropic Rossby waves in the presence of a mean zonal wind exhibit an enhanced beta effect but a reduced phase speed. This behavior, analogous to that displaced in shallow water theory, arises due to the inclusion of compressibility effects in the deep theory. These results help clarify the applicability of shallow water theory to barotropic atmospheric flows. -from Author