On the propagation of mountain waves: linear theory

Abstract

We derive and establish a solution concept for the linear mountain wave problem in two dimensions. After linearizing the governing equations and a change of variables, the problem can be stated as a Dirichlet boundary value problem for a Helmholtz equation in terms of the vertical wind profile in the upper half-plane, with altitude-dependent potential (the Scorer parameter). To single out the correct solution, we have to make use of a radiation condition which is, due to the different physical situation, different from the classical Sommerfeld radiation condition for electromagnetic or acoustic waves. We rigorously develop a transform method and construct the physically correct solution, following Lyra's monotonicity criterion for mountain waves. In this procedure, we clearly recognize the two typical types of mountain waves: vertically propagating waves and trapped lee waves. This paper is the first rigorous work on Helmholtz-like equations in the upper half-plane subject to such a non-classical radiation condition.