Synoptic and Mesoscale Factors Influencing Stratus and Fog in the Central California Coastal Region

Abstract

This study was done to describe the synoptic and mesoscale events associated with the development of fog and stratus along the Central California Coast during the 30 April to 5 May 1990 period. These events were compared and contrasted to the synoptic and mesoscale evolution found for stratus surge and Catalina Eddy events. Based on the analysis, the formation of the stratus and fog was found to be initiated by the movement of an upper-level cut-off low and a short-wave ridge. Their movements provided increased subsidence and upper- level negative vorticity advection (NVA) over Southern California, which, in turn, produced higher pressure over the Vandenburg region. This coupled with relatively lower pressure over Oakland, set up flow conditions that lead to the formation of the stratus and fog. The Vandenburg/ Oakland pressure gradient produced southerly flow, which carried warm moist air over relatively cooler water. The moist air condensed and stratus and fog developed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA244661

Entities

People

  • Patrick W. Corkill

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Case Studies
  • Classification
  • Coastal Regions
  • High Pressure
  • Meteorology
  • Oceanography
  • Pressure Gradients
  • Ridges
  • Satellite Imaging
  • Schools
  • Sea Breeze
  • Sea Level
  • Security
  • Stratus Clouds
  • Surface Analysis
  • Transitions
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology