Geostrophic Approximation


Horizontal motions are in balance with the pressure gradient force. Friction is negligible ( i.e., far away from surface). Steady flow with small curvature ( i.e., dV/dt = 0 ). Works well for z geq 1 km, phi > 10°.

-rho · f · Vg = partial P/ partial x
rho · f · Ug = partial P/ partial y