Abstract
This paper introduces a novel algorithm to compute equivalent latitude by applying regions of interest (ROI). The technique is illustrated using code written in Interactive Data Language (IDL). The ROI method is compared with the "piecewise-constant" method, the approach commonly used in atmospheric sciences, using global fields of atmospheric potential vorticity. The ROI method is considerably more accurate and computationally faster than the piecewise-constant method, and it also works well with irregular grids. Both the ROI and piecewise-constant IDL codes for equivalent latitude are included as a useful reference for the research community.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
-
Altitude*
-
Geography*
-
Investments
Grants and funding
This work was partially supported by the TRODIM (CGL2007-65891-C05-01) and ExCirEs projects (CGL2011-24826) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and by the Xunta de Galicia under “Programa de Consolidación e Estruturación de Unidades de Investigación (Grupos de Referencia Competitiva)” funded by European Regional Development Fund. JAA research is partially supported by the University of Oxford and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council of the United Kingdom. Work at the Naval Research Lab is sponsored by the United States Office of Naval Research. Part of the simulations performed were carried out in the Centro de Supercomputación de Galicia through a “Reto Computacional 2009” project. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.