THE IMPACT OF LATENT-HEAT RELEASE ON THE HADLEY CIRCULATION

Non-reversible latent-heat release is introduced into a model of the z onally symmetric Hadley circulation. Including latent-heat release doe s not increase the strength of the circulation when the heating is cen tred off the equator, in contrast with other studies. However, latent- heat release does result in a reduction of the meridional extent of th e ascent. The assumptions and simplifications made are discussed and c ompared with those in other simple models of the role of latent-heat r elease in the low-latitude axisymmetric circulation.