A hydrodynamic model of a quasi-steady two-dimensional front

• Published in: Tellus. Series A, Dynamic meteorology and oceanography Dynamic meteorology and oceanography, 1998-01, Vol.50 (4), p.507-524
• Main Authors: Morozovsky, E., Burde, G.I., Gutman, L.N., Zangvil, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1600-0870; 1600-0870
• DOI: 10.3402/tellusa.v50i4.14533

A hydrodynamic model of a meteorological front has been constructed. This model is applicableto mature fronts which do not experience any conspicuous changes in intensity and shape andprogress with approximately constant speed. The model considers cold and warm air masses, which are in contact along an interface and move above the horizontal earth under the influenceof a given geostrophic wind. The closed-form solution of the problem incorporating (to a certaindegree of approximation) the surface layer of atmosphere and allowing for the atmosphericturbulence has been obtained. On the basis of this solution, the global shape of the idealizedfrontal surface separating cold and warm air masses and the structure of the air flows in thevicinity of the front can be determined. The solution permits classification of mature fronts interms of only two basic dimensionless parameters. The model is evaluated qualitatively bycomparing some characteristics of the model with those observed for actual fronts. The comparisonshows that the model provides a rational basis for interpreting observations and classificationof fronts.