Abstract
NUMEROUS attempts1 have been made to apply the simple plane vortex of hydrodynamical theory to the structure of symmetrical pressure centres on the synoptic weather chart. These studies, which are based on the so-called simple vortex, in which the tangential velocity at a distance r from the centre is given by vr = a constant, are inadequate, since the simple vortex encounters convergence difficulties both at r = 0 and as r0. Such a system of winds would have an infinite kinetic energy associated with it, while a consistent pressure field would have an infinite potential energy.
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References
Goldie, A. H. R., "Kinematical Features of Depressions", M.O. Geophys. Mem. No. 72 (1937), gives full references to the literature.
Goldie, A. H. R., "Depressions as Vortices", M.O. Geophys. Mem. No. 79 (1939).
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JAMES, R. The Normal and Power Vortex in Meteorology. Nature 157, 693 (1946). https://doi.org/10.1038/157693a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/157693a0
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