Effects of moisture on baroclinic waves

A simple representation of the effects of latent heat release on meso- and synoptic scale dynamics is given by the use of small static stability for ascending motions. The specific location where this condition is applied and the value of static stability depends on environmental parameters, including relative humidity, and other thermodynamic assumptions. A primitive equation model in simplified geometry which implements the above representation of moist processes is used to study the modifications induced on baroclinic instability and the generation of eddy-scale kinetic energy. Results of preliminary simulations of the life cycles of baroclinic waves will be presented.