<p>In <a href="https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/1520-0493%281994%29122%3C0814%3AOOTDTO%3E2.0.CO%3B2" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this paper</a> reviewing the Madden-Julian Oscillation, frequently geostrophic theory (or approximately geostrophic) is often invoked. However, for geostrophic theory to be invoked, $$Ro=\frac{U}{f_0L}&lt;&lt;1$$. However, along the equator, $f_0=0$ and near the equator, $f_0\approx0$, which makes $Ro&gt;&gt;1$. But since this is a published paper, shouldn't the editor or reviewers caught this problem?</p>

<p>Some examples:</p>

<ol>
<li>Page 815, second to last paragraph in the first column: "These results are consistent with an oscillation that is -- at 850 hPa at least-- in approximate geostrophic balance."</li>
<li>Page 816, first paragraph in the second column: "For geostrophic balance, the in-phase relationship is consistent with maximum pressure variations at the equator, while the more nearly out of phase relationship suggests maximum pressure variations off the equator."</li>
</ol>

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2018-03-12T20:42:18.923Z
@gansub I put some instances down
BarocliniCplusplus
<meteorology><climatology><fluid-dynamics>
Why would geostrophic theory be invoked in the tropics with regards to the MJO?
BarocliniCplusplus
# Why would geostrophic theory be invoked in the tropics with regards to the MJO?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-03-05)

In [this paper](https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/1520-0493%281994%29122%3C0814%3AOOTDTO%3E2.0.CO%3B2) reviewing the Madden-Julian Oscillation, frequently geostrophic theory (or approximately geostrophic) is often invoked. However, for geostrophic theory to be invoked, $$Ro=\frac{U}{f\_0L}<<1$$. However, along the equator, $f\_0=0$ and near the equator, $f\_0\approx0$, which makes $Ro>>1$. But since this is a published paper, shouldn't the editor or reviewers caught this problem?

Some examples:

1. Page 815, second to last paragraph in the first column: "These results are consistent with an oscillation that is -- at 850 hPa at least-- in approximate geostrophic balance."
2. Page 816, first paragraph in the second column: "For geostrophic balance, the in-phase relationship is consistent with maximum pressure variations at the equator, while the more nearly out of phase relationship suggests maximum pressure variations off the equator."

**Tags:** meteorology, climatology, fluid-dynamics

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: @gansub I put some instances down  

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## 0 answers

