On the Evolution of Precipitation Associated with a Wintertime East Coast Cyclone: A GALE Preliminary Study.
Abstract
This thesis analyzes and explains the precipitation structure of the 10-12 February 1983 east cost cyclone, which is typical of the type the GALE 1986 field project hopes to study. Careful hourly analysis of surface weather and precipitation were conducted using all avalable data obtained from the National Climatic Data Center at Asheville, N.C. Surface kinematic calculations were accomplished and compared to the observed precipitation pattern. Vorticity and divergence patterns were found to correlate well with the cold-air damming and the coastal front associated with the cyclone studied, but failed to correlate well with the observed precipitation structure. Adiabatic and kinematic vertical motion profiles were better correlated with the observed precipition, but failed to adequately explain the observed movement of precipitation. Subsequent isentropic analysis, similiar to that of the British researchers, allowed for the three dimensional analysis of air flow. Cross sections were analyzed for potential temperature, mixing ratio, and wind. These analyses revealed a warm conveyor belt and cold conveyor belt similiar to the Carlson (1980) model for midwest cyclones.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA166375
Entities
People
- Robert D. Bievins
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology