long wave

In meteorology, a Rossby wave is a large-scale atmospheric wave associated with the polar-front jet stream. These waves are crucial for separating cold polar air from warm tropical air and play a significant role in the weather of middle and higher latitudes.

Rossby waves form as polar air moves toward the Equator and tropical air moves poleward, facilitating heat transfer. They are a dominant component of the Ferrel circulation. These waves help explain the formation of cyclones (low-pressure systems) and anticyclones (high-pressure systems) that influence weather patterns. The movement and development of these waves are influenced by factors such as wind speed, wavelength, and the gradient of the Coriolis parameter. The theory describing these waves was developed by meteorologist Carl-Gustaf Arvid Rossby, after whom they are named.123