atmospheric waveguide
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An atmospheric waveguide is an atmospheric flow feature that improves the propagation of certain atmospheric waves.{{cite journal |last=Chunchuzov |first=Igor P. |title=The Spectrum of High-Frequency Internal Waves in the Atmospheric Waveguide |journal=Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences |volume=53 |issue=13 |pages=1798–1814 |doi=10.1175/1520-0469(1996)053<1798:TSOHFI>2.0.CO;2 |date=July 1, 1996 |doi-access=free |bibcode=1996JAtS...53.1798C }}
The effect arises because wave parameters such as group velocity or vertical wavenumber depend on mean flow direction and strength. Thus, for instance, westerlies might be a good waveguide for eastward-traveling waves, but might strongly dissipate westward-traveling waves, by increasing or decreasing their vertical wavenumber, respectively. Modification of the waves' group velocity will change their meridional propagation speed, directing them more polewards or more equatorwards.