A numerical investigation of coastal frontogenesis and Mesoscale cyclogenesis during GALE IOP 2
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (United States)
The Pennsylvania State University-NCAR Mesoscale Model is used to examine the structure and dynamics of coastal frontogenesis and mesoscale cyclogensis observed during intensive observation period 2 (IOP 2) of the Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment (GALE). The model accurately simulates many of the observed mesoscale features including cold-air damming to the east of the Appalachian Mountains, a coastal trough, coastal frontogenesis, and mesoscale cyclogenesis. The coastal front becomes apparent approximately 6 h after the formation of a coastal trough in the vicinity of the Gulf Stream. An analysis of the model results indicate that both latent heating from banded precipitation over the Gulf Stream and surface sensible heating contribute to trough development. The deformation resulting from the isallobaric accelerations, associated with the pressure changes that occur as the coastal trough forms, initiates the coastal frontogenesis. Numerical sensitivity tests reveal that the diabatic process dominate the coastal trough and front development. Initially, the frontogenetic effects of differential diabatic heating at the coastline promote the westward movement of the northern portion on the front. With this westward movement of the coastal front, the deformation and diabatic effects act in concert to significantly strengthen the baroclinic zone. A small scale weak cyclone develops along the coastal front as a result of the strong low level diabatic forcing associated with intense marine atmospheric boundary layer sensible heating and latent heating from copious precipitation.
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-90ER61071
- OSTI ID:
- 6336372
- Journal Information:
- Monthly Weather Review; (United States), Vol. 121:4; ISSN 0027-0644
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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