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Observations and Modelling of Fronts and Frontogenesis

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hit + (hivi) = We, (8a)<br />

h2t + (h2v2) We, (8b)<br />

h3t + (h3v3)y 0. (8c)<br />

If layer 2 vanishes in a region, so that layer 3 comes in<br />

contact with the mixed layer, the entrainment velocity must<br />

be subtracted from the layer 3 depth evolution equation. In<br />

this case the layer depth evolution equations are,<br />

hit + (hlvl)y We, (9a)<br />

h3t + (h3v3)y We. (9b)<br />

Note that the base <strong>of</strong> the mixed layer is not a material<br />

surface; fluid may pass (upward) through it. De Szoeke<br />

(1981) gives a careful discussion <strong>of</strong> the form <strong>of</strong> these<br />

equations. Addition <strong>of</strong> (8a-c) <strong>and</strong> integration from the<br />

coastal boundary, where normal velocities must vanish, yields<br />

the condition <strong>of</strong> no net <strong>of</strong>fshore mass flux,<br />

h1v1 + h2v2 + h3v3 = 0. (10)<br />

This holds as well if h2 is equal to zero.<br />

When layer 3 is isolated from the mixed layer, potential<br />

vorticity in layer 3 is conserved following the motion, that<br />

is,<br />

where<br />

3t + v3P3y = 0,<br />

(ila)<br />

P3 = (f u3y)/h3 (llb)<br />

is the potential vorticity in layer 3. This may be verified<br />

by direct differentiation <strong>and</strong> the use <strong>of</strong> (2a) <strong>and</strong> (8c). It<br />

53

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