Extratropical Secondary Cyclones: Simulations and Observations,
Abstract
Extratropical cyclones are observed over a broad spectrum of spatial scales: synoptic-scale primary cyclones (^1,OOO km), intermediate-scale secondary frontal-wave cyclones (^1OOO km), and the lesser mesoscale cyclones (^5OO-lOO km). The fundamental difference between primary and secondary cyclones was described by Eliassen (1966): "A natural conclusion from the various theories is that the large-scale cyclonic systems associated with the transient waves in the upper-westerlies are the primary perturbation systems, since their existence can be accounted for by baroclinic instability, even in the absence of fronts. These large cyclonic systems, in turn, produce the fronts, partly by setting up the deformation fields required in Bergeron's theory and partly by the non-linear process demonstrated by Edelmann. Finally, the fronts will give birth to the smaller frontal wave SECONDARY cyclones".
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA350112
Entities
People
- David P. Jorgensen
- Jim Doyle
- M. A. Shapiro
- Xiaolei Zou
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory