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Rossby parameter—(Also called Rossby term.) The northward variation of the Coriolis parameter, arising from the sphericity of the earth. In spherical coordinates, where Ω is the angular speed of the earth, φ the latitude, a the mean radius of the earth, and β the Rossby parameter. The Rossby parameter, usually treated as a constant, is of importance dynamically in producing Rossby waves. See Rossby wave, barotropic instability, beta plane.