Are trough and ridges part of ROSSBY WAVES?

Question

okay i know a trough is a U in the wave and they cause low pressure at the surface, ridges cause high pressure.

But i dont understand these "semi permanent" rossby waves ... please explain in dumb-down terms thanks =)

Answer 1

These semi-permanent waves are much like a semi-permanent ridge of high pressure.  They move back and forth depending on the forces that are working against them.

Look at the Bermuda High for example, it moves over Florida and can be there for quite some time and then it goes back into the Altantic.   These waves work in much the same way.  They are around just moving back and forth, so-to-speak. For example, if the winds are in phase (baroclinic), then there is little to no change.   If the winds are 180 degrees out of phases,  (barotropic) then the winds are pushing the ridges and trofs and shifting the waves relative position.