Tropical Waves Characteristics Interval/Period of 3-4 Days
Between Waves - Lasting from one week to several weeks -
Propagating at 10-15 KT Wavelength of 2,000-2,500 Km Extend
Vertically Between SFC-5Km A westward traveling tropical wave
manifests quite well on the lower atmosphere. In the absence of
satellite imagery, RAOBS, ship synoptic and surface observations
are the best tools for finding these perturbations. Knowledge of
climatology across the region is key for tropical wave
detection, as shifts on the prevailing wind flow will be the
first clue of an approaching tropical wave. Over the eastern
Caribbean, the prevailing easterlies will take a more NE
component as a tropical wave approaches. As the wave axis moves
over the area the easterlies will return, but as it passes the
winds will take an ESE component. Over the southeastern
Caribbean the tropical waves are harder to find, as their
circulation tends to be masked by the ITCZ anchoring low over
the Gulf of Panama. Over Panama-Costa Rica the flow dur