Abstract:The primary barotropic atmospheric equations of motion were used to analyze the relationship between the horizontal kinetic energy gradient and geostrophic deviation of different weather scales systems. Results show that for atmospheric motions of synoptic scale and meso-α scale, the value of horizontal kinetic energy gradient is approximately proportional to the value of geostrophic deviation. The proportional coefficient for synoptic scale motion is geostrophic coefficient, which is independent on motion characteristics, while for smaller scale atmospheric motion, it is closely related to motion characteristics. For atmospheric motions of meso-β scale, the value of horizontal kinetic energy gradient amounts to less than the sum of the two terms, in which the first one is proportional to the value of geostrophic deviation and the second one is the value of the time derivative of geostrophic deviation. In the high value area of kinetic energy gradient, the nonequilibrium behavior and outbreak behavior of atmospheric motion are striking. The diagnostic analysis on horizontal kinetic energy gradient was investigated by using the simulation data of a torrential rain occurring on Aug.25, 2008 in Shanghai, which indicated that a quite good corresponding relationship exists between areas with maximum value of kinetic energy gradient and areas with strong precipitation, and it agrees consistent with the theoretical analysis. The diagnostic analysis on horizontal kinetic energy gradient is useful for torrential rain forecast and treatment of disaster weather.