Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Energetics of an Intensifying Jet Streak during the Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (ERICA)

Gary M. Lackmann Department of the Earth Sciences, State University of New York, College at Brockport, Brockport, New York

Search for other papers by Gary M. Lackmann in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Daniel Keyser Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York

Search for other papers by Daniel Keyser in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Lance F. Bosart Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, The University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York

Search for other papers by Lance F. Bosart in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Dec 1999
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1999)127<2777:EOAIJS>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
2777–2795
Restricted access

Abstract

A characteristic life cycle of upper-tropospheric cyclogenetic precursors involves the development of an elongated region of lower dynamic tropopause that forms in association with an intensifying midtropospheric jet/front. Transverse divergent circulations associated with the jet/front steepen and depress the dynamic tropopause prior to the onset of lower-tropospheric cyclogenesis. A representative event that occurred during the second intensive observation period (IOP 2) of the Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (ERICA, December 1988–February 1989) is analyzed from the perspective of local energetics. The goals of the analysis are (i) to document the evolution of the three-dimensional eddy kinetic energy (EKE) distribution during this event and (ii) to identify the mechanisms leading to EKE growth in the upper-tropospheric jet streak associated with the precursor disturbance prior to cyclogenesis, as well as in the developing lower-tropospheric cyclone.

Computation of the local EKE budget during ERICA IOP 2 indicates that the Reynolds stress plays an important role in jet streak intensification over North America. Analysis of the Reynolds stress reveals that the contribution of this term is determined primarily by the relative orientation of the perturbation horizontal wind velocity and the dilatation axis of the time-mean flow. In regions where the perturbation wind velocity is oriented within 45° of normal to the dilatation axis of the time-mean flow, the contribution of the Reynolds stress to the EKE tendency is positive. The presence of a ridge over western North America favors jet streak intensification through the Reynolds stress as northerly perturbation flow east of the ridge axis possesses a favorable orientation with respect to the dilatation axes of the time-mean flow over central North America. Local EKE increases accompany strengthening transverse divergent circulations, thus facilitating the downward advection of stratospheric potential vorticity and eventually resulting in the development of a mobile upper trough. This sequence is consistent with the preference for mobile upper-trough genesis over central North America in the presence of a northerly flow component, a finding documented previously by Sanders.

* Current affiliation: Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Rayleigh, North Carolina.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Gary M. Lackmann, Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, 1125 Jordan Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-8208.Email: gary@ncsu.edu

Abstract

A characteristic life cycle of upper-tropospheric cyclogenetic precursors involves the development of an elongated region of lower dynamic tropopause that forms in association with an intensifying midtropospheric jet/front. Transverse divergent circulations associated with the jet/front steepen and depress the dynamic tropopause prior to the onset of lower-tropospheric cyclogenesis. A representative event that occurred during the second intensive observation period (IOP 2) of the Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (ERICA, December 1988–February 1989) is analyzed from the perspective of local energetics. The goals of the analysis are (i) to document the evolution of the three-dimensional eddy kinetic energy (EKE) distribution during this event and (ii) to identify the mechanisms leading to EKE growth in the upper-tropospheric jet streak associated with the precursor disturbance prior to cyclogenesis, as well as in the developing lower-tropospheric cyclone.

Computation of the local EKE budget during ERICA IOP 2 indicates that the Reynolds stress plays an important role in jet streak intensification over North America. Analysis of the Reynolds stress reveals that the contribution of this term is determined primarily by the relative orientation of the perturbation horizontal wind velocity and the dilatation axis of the time-mean flow. In regions where the perturbation wind velocity is oriented within 45° of normal to the dilatation axis of the time-mean flow, the contribution of the Reynolds stress to the EKE tendency is positive. The presence of a ridge over western North America favors jet streak intensification through the Reynolds stress as northerly perturbation flow east of the ridge axis possesses a favorable orientation with respect to the dilatation axes of the time-mean flow over central North America. Local EKE increases accompany strengthening transverse divergent circulations, thus facilitating the downward advection of stratospheric potential vorticity and eventually resulting in the development of a mobile upper trough. This sequence is consistent with the preference for mobile upper-trough genesis over central North America in the presence of a northerly flow component, a finding documented previously by Sanders.

* Current affiliation: Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, Rayleigh, North Carolina.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Gary M. Lackmann, Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences, North Carolina State University, 1125 Jordan Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695-8208.Email: gary@ncsu.edu

Save
Cover Monthly Weather Review
Monthly Weather Review

  • Barnes, S. L., and B. R. Colman, 1993: Quasigeostrophic diagnosis of cyclogenesis associated with a cutoff extratropical cyclone—The Christmas 1987 storm. Mon. Wea. Rev.,121, 1613–1634.

  • Bengtsson, L., M. Kanamitsu, P. Kållberg, and S. Uppala, 1982: FGGE 4-dimensional data assimilation at ECMWF. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,63, 29–43.

  • Bluestein, H. B., 1986: Fronts and jet streaks: A theoretical perspective. Mesoscale Meteorology and Forecasting, P. S. Ray, Ed., Amer. Meteor. Soc., 173–215.

  • ——, 1992: Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology in Midlatitudes. Vol. I, Principles of Kinematics and Dynamics. Oxford University Press, 431 pp.

  • ——, 1993: Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology in Midlatitudes. Vol. II, Observations and Theory of Weather Systems. Oxford University Press, 594 pp.

  • Cammas, J.-P., D. Keyser, G. M. Lackmann, and J. Molinari, 1994: Diabatic redistribution of potential vorticity accompanying the development of an outflow jet within a strong extratropical cyclone. Proc. Int. Symp. on the Life Cycles of Extratropical Cyclones, Vol. II, Bergen, Norway, Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, 403–409.

  • Chang, E. K. M., 1993: Downstream development of baroclinic waves as inferred from regression analysis. J. Atmos. Sci.,50, 2038–2053.

  • ——, and I. Orlanski, 1993: On the dynamics of a storm track. J. Atmos. Sci.,50, 999–1015.

  • Dare, P. M., and P. J. Smith, 1984: A comparison of observed and model energy balance for an extratropical cyclone system. Mon. Wea. Rev.,112, 1289–1308.

  • Davis, C. A., and K. A. Emanuel, 1991: Potential vorticity diagnostics of cyclogenesis. Mon. Wea. Rev.,119, 1929–1953.

  • Dickinson, M. J., L. F. Bosart, W. E. Bracken, G. J. Hakim, D. M. Schultz, M. A. Bedrick, and K. R. Tyle, 1997: The March 1993 Superstorm cyclogenesis: Incipient phase synoptic- and convective-scale flow interaction and model performance. Mon. Wea. Rev.,125, 3041–3072.

  • Dole, R. M., 1992: Deformation in planetary scale flows. Proc. 17th Annual Climate Diagnostics Workshop, Norman, OK, NOAA, CAC/NMC, 294–299.

  • ——, and R. X. Black, 1990: Life cycles of persistent anomalies. Part II: The development of persistent negative height anomalies over the North Pacific Ocean. Mon. Wea. Rev.,118, 824–846.

  • Hadlock, R., and C. W. Kreitzberg, 1988: The Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (ERICA) field study: Objectives and plans. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,69, 1309–1320.

  • Hakim, G. J., L. F. Bosart, and D. Keyser, 1995: The Ohio Valley wave-merger cyclogenesis event of 25–26 January 1978. Part I:Multiscale case study. Mon. Wea. Rev.,123, 2663–2692.

  • Hoskins, B. J., I. N. James, and G. H. White, 1983: The shape, propagation and mean-flow interaction of large-scale weather systems. J. Atmos. Sci.,40, 1595–1612.

  • ——, M. E. McIntyre, and A. W. Robertson, 1985: On the use and significance of isentropic potential vorticity maps. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,111, 877–946.

  • Keyser, D. A., M. J. Reeder, and R. J. Reed, 1988: A generalization of Petterssen’s frontogenesis function and its relation to the forcing of vertical motion. Mon. Wea. Rev.,116, 762–780.

  • ——, D. R. Johnson, 1984: Effects of diabatic heating on the ageostrophic circulation of an upper tropospheric jet streak. Mon. Wea. Rev.,112, 1709–1724.

  • Koch, S. E., M. desJardins, and P. J. Kocin, 1983: An interactive Barnes objective map analysis scheme for use with satellite and conventional data. J. Climate Appl. Meteor.,22, 1487–1503.

  • Lackmann, G. M., 1995: Life cycles of mobile upper troughs and maritime cyclones during ERICA. Ph.D. dissertation, University at Albany, State University of New York, 318 pp. [Available from Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222.].

  • ——, L. F. Bosart, and D. Keyser, 1996: Planetary- and synoptic-scale characteristics of explosive wintertime cyclogenesis over the western North Atlantic Ocean. Mon. Wea. Rev.,124, 2672–2702.

  • ——, D. Keyser, and L. F. Bosart, 1997: A characteristic life cycle of upper-tropospheric cyclogenetic precursors during the Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (ERICA). Mon. Wea. Rev.,125, 2729–2758.

  • Lau, N.-C., 1979: The structure and energetics of transient disturbances in the Northern Hemisphere wintertime circulation. J. Atmos. Sci.,36, 982–995.

  • Lefevre, R. J., and J. W. Nielsen-Gammon, 1995: An objective climatology of mobile troughs in the Northern Hemisphere. Tellus,47A, 638–655.

  • Li, L., and T. R. Nathan, 1994: The global atmospheric response to low-frequency tropical forcing: Zonally averaged basic states. J. Atmos. Sci.,51, 3412–3426.

  • ——, and ——, 1997: Effects of low-frequency tropical forcing on intraseasonal tropical–extratropical interactions. J. Atmos. Sci.,54, 332–346.

  • Mak, M., 1991: Dynamics of an atmospheric blocking as deduced from its local energetics. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,117, 477–493.

  • ——, and M. Cai, 1989: Local barotropic instability. J. Atmos. Sci.,46, 3289–3311.

  • McGinley, J., 1982: A diagnosis of Alpine lee cyclogenesis. Mon. Wea. Rev.,110, 1271–1287.

  • Morgan, M. C., 1996: On the dynamics of diabatically generated “outflow” during cyclogenesis. Preprints, Seventh Conf. on Mesoscale Processes, Reading, United Kingdom, Amer. Meteor. Soc., 29–31.

  • ——, and J. W. Nielsen-Gammon, 1998: Using tropopause maps to diagnose midlatitude weather systems. Mon. Wea. Rev.,126, 2555–2579.

  • Nielsen-Gammon, J. W., 1995: Dynamical conceptual models of upper-level mobile trough formation: Comparison and application. Tellus,47A, 705–721.

  • ——, and R. J. Lefevre, 1996: Piecewise tendency diagnosis of dynamical processes governing the development of an upper-tropospheric mobile trough. J. Atmos. Sci.,53, 3120–3142.

  • Orlanski, I., and J. Katzfey, 1991: The life cycle of a cyclone wave in the Southern Hemisphere. Part I: Eddy energy budget. J. Atmos. Sci.,48, 1972–1998.

  • ——, and E. K. M. Chang, 1993: Ageostrophic geopotential fluxes in downstream and upstream development of baroclinic waves. J. Atmos. Sci.,50, 212–225.

  • ——, and J. P. Sheldon, 1993: A case of downstream baroclinic development over western North America. Mon. Wea. Rev.,121, 2929–2950.

  • ——, and ——, 1995: Stages in the energetics of baroclinic systems. Tellus,47A, 605–628.

  • Palmén, E., and C. W. Newton, 1969: Atmospheric Circulation Systems. Academic Press, 603 pp.

  • Petterssen, S., and S. J. Smebye, 1971: On the development of extratropical cyclones. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,97, 457–482.

  • ——, D. L. Bradbury, and K. Pedersen, 1962: The Norwegian cyclone models in relation to heat and cold sources. Geofys. Publ.,24, 243–280.

  • Roebber, P. J., J. R. Gyakum, and D. N. Trat, 1994: Coastal frontogenesis and precipitation during ERICA IOP 2. Wea. Forecasting,9, 21–44.

  • Sanders, F., 1986: Explosive cyclogenesis in the west-central North Atlantic Ocean, 1981–1984. Part I: Composite structure and mean behavior. Mon. Wea. Rev.,114, 1781–1794.

  • ——, 1988: Life history of mobile troughs in the upper westerlies. Mon. Wea. Rev.,116, 2629–2648.

  • ——, 1990: Surface analysis over the oceans—Searching for sea truth. Wea. Forecasting,5, 596–612.

  • Trenberth, K. E., 1986: An assessment of the impact of transient eddies on the zonal flow during a blocking episode using localized Eliassen–Palm flux diagnostics. J. Atmos. Sci.,43, 2070–2087.

  • ——, 1992: Global analyses from ECMWF and atlas of 1000 to 10 mb circulation statistics. NCAR Tech. Note NCAR/TN-373+STR, 191 pp. [Available from U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, 6010 Executive Blvd., Rockville, MD 20852.].

  • ——, and J. G. Olson, 1988: An evaluation and intercomparison of global analyses from the National Meteorological Center and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,69, 1047–1057.

  • Uccellini, L. W., 1990: Processes contributing to the rapid development of extratropical cyclones. Extratropical Cyclones, The Erik Palmén Memorial Volume, C. W. Newton and E. O. Holopainen, Eds., Amer. Meteor. Soc., 81–105.

  • ——, and D. R. Johnson, 1979: The coupling of upper and lower tropospheric jet streaks and implications for the development of severe convective storms. Mon. Wea. Rev.,107, 682–703.

  • ——, D. Keyser, K. F. Brill, and C. H. Wash, 1985: The Presidents’ Day cyclone of 18–19 February 1979: Influence of upstream trough amplification and associated tropopause folding on rapid cyclogenesis. Mon. Wea. Rev.,113, 962–988.

  • Ward, J. H., and P. J. Smith, 1976: A kinetic energy budget over North America during a period of short synoptic wave development. Mon. Wea. Rev.,104, 836–848.

  • Whitaker, J. S., L. W. Uccellini, and K. F. Brill, 1988: A model-based diagnostic study of the rapid development phase of the Presidents’ Day cyclone. Mon. Wea. Rev.,116, 2337–2365.

  • Wiin-Nielsen, A., and T.-C. Chen, 1993: Fundamentals of Atmospheric Energetics. Oxford University Press, 376 pp.

  • Wolf, B. J., and D. R. Johnson, 1995a: The mesoscale forcing of a midlatitude upper-tropospheric jet streak by a simulated convective system. Part I: Mass circulation and ageostrophic processes. Mon. Wea. Rev.,123, 1059–1087.

  • ——, and ——, 1995b: The mesoscale forcing of a midlatitude upper-tropospheric jet streak by a simulated convective system. Part II: Kinetic energy and resolution analysis. Mon. Wea. Rev.,123, 1088–1111.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 129 56 2
PDF Downloads 95 51 0