Using the Quasigeostrophic Potential Vorticity Height Tendency Equation toDiagnose the Development of Midtropospheric Mobile Troughs

摘要

The purpose of this research was to develop a technique to quantify theintensification mechanisms present in the development of midtropospheric mobile troughs. Mobile troughs are generally considered precursors to midlatitude cyclogenesis. The midlatitude cyclones are the primary sources of synoptic scale weather patterns. The overall project was separated into three tasks: a description of trough development characteristics, the construction of the diagnostic framework, and the demonstration of the diagnostic technique using a mobile trough. The description of mobile trough development characteristics was accomplished by compiling a 2O-year climatology of the frequency of mobile trough.