barotropic model

Any of a number of model atmospheres in which some of the following conditions exist throughout the motion: coincidence of pressure and temperature surfaces, absence of vertical wind shear, absence of vertical motions, absence of horizontal velocity divergence, and conservation of the vertical component of absolute vorticity.

Related terms:

• equivalent barotropic model
• storm model
• barotropic field
• peg model
• synoptic model
• barotropic wave
• climate model
• model atmosphere
• baroclinic model
• thermotropic model