Dynamics of frontal discontinuities in the semigeostrophic theory

A deformation-forced, semigeostrophic (SG) frontogenesis model is extended in time to include frontal evolution after the initial formation of a discontinuity at the surface. The dynamical fields associated with the frontogenesis (e.g., alongfront, cross-front and vertical winds, Richardson number)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the atmospheric sciences 1989, Vol.46 (14), p.2166-2177
Main Authors: HAN-RU CHO, KOSHYK, J. N
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Convection, turbulence, diffusion. Boundary layer structure and dynamics
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Meteorology
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:A deformation-forced, semigeostrophic (SG) frontogenesis model is extended in time to include frontal evolution after the initial formation of a discontinuity at the surface. The dynamical fields associated with the frontogenesis (e.g., alongfront, cross-front and vertical winds, Richardson number) are calculated and compare favorably to the qualitative features of atmospheric cold fronts. In particular, a strong vertical velocity jet exists at the position of the surface front in agreement with observational studies. Results from primitive equation models which include thermal and momentum diffusion are compared with the results presented here in order to assert the validity of the semigeostrophic approximation and to examine the effect of neglecting friction and mixing processes in the model.
ISSN:0022-4928
1520-0469
DOI:10.1175/1520-0469(1989)046<2166:DOFDIT>2.0.CO;2