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Article Type:
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A Characteristic Life Cycle of Upper-Tropospheric Cyclogenetic Precursors during the Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (ERICA)

Gary M. Lackmann Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York

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Daniel Keyser Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York

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Lance F. Bosart Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York

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Print Publication:
01 Nov 1997
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1997)125<2729:ACLCOU>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
2729–2758
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Abstract

This paper documents a characteristic life cycle of upper-tropospheric precursors to surface cyclogenesis observed during the field phase of the Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (ERICA, December 1988–February 1989). This life cycle begins with the development of an elongated region of lower dynamic tropopause that forms in association with an intensifying midtropospheric jet/front over central North America. The elongated disturbance subsequently compacts into a more circular configuration prior to crossing the east coast of North America and frequently is associated with rapid surface cyclogenesis offshore.

A representative example of the life cycle outlined above is documented through a detailed case study of the upper precursor associated with the second ERICA intensive observation period (IOP 2) cyclone. Emphasis is placed upon (i) description of the tropopause structure and evolution during the upper-precursor life cycle, (ii) diagnosis of mechanisms leading to the development and intensification of a midtropospheric cyclonic vorticity maximum and frontal zone, (iii) analysis of the role of transverse jet–front circulations in deforming the dynamic tropopause, (iv) documentation of the influence of the low- and high-frequency flow components on the upper-precursor life cycle, and (v) isolation of dynamic and thermodynamic factors that render this life cycle especially conducive to rapid surface cyclogenesis. Confluence downstream of the axis of a low-frequency (i.e., periods greater than 120 h), troposphere-deep ridge over western North America facilitates the organization of a midtropospheric jet/front over central North America. As this precursor disturbance approaches the inflection between the western ridge and a downstream trough, tilting, in the presence of cold advection along the midtropospheric frontal zone, becomes an important vorticity generation and frontogenesis mechanism in the upper precursor. Transverse circulations accompanying the jet/front steepen and lower the dynamic tropopause prior to surface cyclogenesis. Compaction of the initially elongated upper precursor is shown to involve deformation in the high-frequency component of the upper-tropospheric flow. The compacted upper-precursor configuration, lowered tropopause, and reduced static stability in the offshore environment lead to strong vertical coupling and vigorous surface cyclogenesis as the upper precursor passes offshore.

The foregoing results suggest that the life cycle of a common class of cyclogenetic precursors is closely related to midtropospheric frontogenesis. A favored location for the development of midtropospheric jet/fronts is over central North America during northwesterly flow episodes. Production of vorticity in the midtropospheric jet/front and subsequent compaction of this vorticity feature suggest a link between midtropospheric frontogenesis and mobile upper-trough genesis. This link may explain the existence of a maximumin the upper-trough-genesis distribution over central North America documented by Sanders.

* Current affiliation: Department of the Earth Sciences, State University of New York College at Brockport, Brockport, New York.

Corresponding author address: Prof. Gary M. Lackmann, Dept. of the Earth Sciences, SUNY College at Brockport, 350 New Campus Dr., Brockport, NY 14420-2936.

Abstract

This paper documents a characteristic life cycle of upper-tropospheric precursors to surface cyclogenesis observed during the field phase of the Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (ERICA, December 1988–February 1989). This life cycle begins with the development of an elongated region of lower dynamic tropopause that forms in association with an intensifying midtropospheric jet/front over central North America. The elongated disturbance subsequently compacts into a more circular configuration prior to crossing the east coast of North America and frequently is associated with rapid surface cyclogenesis offshore.

A representative example of the life cycle outlined above is documented through a detailed case study of the upper precursor associated with the second ERICA intensive observation period (IOP 2) cyclone. Emphasis is placed upon (i) description of the tropopause structure and evolution during the upper-precursor life cycle, (ii) diagnosis of mechanisms leading to the development and intensification of a midtropospheric cyclonic vorticity maximum and frontal zone, (iii) analysis of the role of transverse jet–front circulations in deforming the dynamic tropopause, (iv) documentation of the influence of the low- and high-frequency flow components on the upper-precursor life cycle, and (v) isolation of dynamic and thermodynamic factors that render this life cycle especially conducive to rapid surface cyclogenesis. Confluence downstream of the axis of a low-frequency (i.e., periods greater than 120 h), troposphere-deep ridge over western North America facilitates the organization of a midtropospheric jet/front over central North America. As this precursor disturbance approaches the inflection between the western ridge and a downstream trough, tilting, in the presence of cold advection along the midtropospheric frontal zone, becomes an important vorticity generation and frontogenesis mechanism in the upper precursor. Transverse circulations accompanying the jet/front steepen and lower the dynamic tropopause prior to surface cyclogenesis. Compaction of the initially elongated upper precursor is shown to involve deformation in the high-frequency component of the upper-tropospheric flow. The compacted upper-precursor configuration, lowered tropopause, and reduced static stability in the offshore environment lead to strong vertical coupling and vigorous surface cyclogenesis as the upper precursor passes offshore.

The foregoing results suggest that the life cycle of a common class of cyclogenetic precursors is closely related to midtropospheric frontogenesis. A favored location for the development of midtropospheric jet/fronts is over central North America during northwesterly flow episodes. Production of vorticity in the midtropospheric jet/front and subsequent compaction of this vorticity feature suggest a link between midtropospheric frontogenesis and mobile upper-trough genesis. This link may explain the existence of a maximumin the upper-trough-genesis distribution over central North America documented by Sanders.

* Current affiliation: Department of the Earth Sciences, State University of New York College at Brockport, Brockport, New York.

Corresponding author address: Prof. Gary M. Lackmann, Dept. of the Earth Sciences, SUNY College at Brockport, 350 New Campus Dr., Brockport, NY 14420-2936.

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