Lehnert number ($\mathrm{Le}=v_A/(\Omega L)$)

The Lehnert number compares an Alfvén speed to a rotation speed on length scale $L$. With $\mathrm{Le}\ll 1$, magnetic-wave frequencies are small compared with the rotation frequency, allowing nearly geostrophic flow. Ideal weakly damped magnetic waves also require $\eta /L^2$ and $\nu /L^2$ to be small compared with their wave frequency; a small Lehnert number alone does not guarantee weak diffusion.