Re: Shortwave?

On Thu, 31 Aug 2006 19:03:00 -0500,
Jean Smith <gotermite@xxxxxxxxx>, in
<gotermite-8712E7.19030031082006@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
+ In article <r0jcf2du9bvn6f9uep3do1g5mi6lpi45oe@xxxxxxx>,
+ Bill Cherepy <jcherepy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
+
+ > I see references to Shortwaves in Forecast Discussions and I was
+ > wondering at what level (height) are they?
+ >
+ http://nsidc.org/arcticmet/glossary/short_wave_radiation.html
+ Shortwave radiation In meteorology, a term used loosely to distinguish radiation
+ in the visible and near-visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum
+ (roughly 0.4 to 4.0 ?m in wavelength) from longwave(terrestrial) radiation.

Wrong kind of short wave, tho important in its own right.

Short waves are waves on a smaller scale the easily noticed long wave
ridge/trough patterns. Short waves can be seen to propagate thru the
long wave pattern.

For instance, it seems the long wave pattern over the eastern US is
one of a trough over the east coast, and ridge to it's west. Careful
observation can detect the presence of these short waves as they
travel thru the long wave pattern.

Don't make me break out Holton to define "long" and "short", tho I
seem to recall 500 km (Rossby radius of deformation?) for some reason.

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