barotropic instability

meteorology

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June 22, 2026

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Barotropic instability is a meteorological phenomenon where atmospheric waves grow by drawing kinetic energy from the mean flow of westerly winds. This occurs when there is horizontal shear in the wind that varies with latitude. Unlike baroclinic instability, which relies on vertical wind shear and temperature gradients, barotropic instability is driven by horizontal wind shear. In this process, the waves amplify at the expense of the mean flow, meaning the waves grow larger by taking energy from the overall wind current. This can lead to the damping of shorter waves and can counteract or reduce the effects of advective growth.123

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climate
Propagation and development of waves
…amplify through a process called barotropic instability. Barotropic instability, however, requires horizontal shear, not vertical shear; kinetic energy for the waves comes from the mean kinetic energy associated with the westerly wind current. The waves grow in amplitude at the expense of the mean flow. Barotropic instability can occur when…
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…amplify through a process called barotropic instability. Barotropic instability, however, requires horizontal shear, not vertical shear; kinetic energy for the waves comes from the mean kinetic energy associated with the westerly wind current. The waves grow in amplitude at the expense of the mean flow. Barotropic instability can occur when…
Read More