Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Present-day concepts of atmospheric frontogenesis. Part 1. Theoretical ideas

  • Published:
Russian Meteorology and Hydrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Presented is a review of quantitative characteristics of atmospheric frontogenesis that describe it as the process of variations of the vector of the horizontal temperature gradient (both in value and in direction) in an individual particle. The frontogenesis that strives for recovering the thermal wind balance disturbed in the case of inhomogeneous advection, generates vertical circulation which is both thermally direct (warm air ascends relative to cold air) and thermally opposite (upward motions in the cold air). Given are the expressions for computing frontogenesis using the data on temperature, pressure, and wind. Used is the resolution of the frontogenetic vector function into components along the isoline of potential temperature both on and across the constant-pressure surface. The first component describes the change in the temperature gradient vector due to the rotation of isotherms (rotational frontogenesis), and the second component, the variations of the absolute value of the gradient (scalar frontogenesis). Quantitative characteristics of frontogenesis are efficient diagnostic parameters both for understanding weather processes and weather forecast specification and for the verification and enhancement of numerical models.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A. Gill, Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics (Mir, Moscow, 1986) [Transl. from English].

    Google Scholar 

  2. G. Korn and T. Korn, Mathematical Handbook for Scientists and Engineers (Nauka, Moscow, 1973) [Transl. from English].

    Google Scholar 

  3. S. Petterssen, Weather Analysis and Forecasting (Gidrometeoizdat, Leningrad, 1961) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  4. N. P. Shakina, Dynamics of Atmospheric Fronts and Cyclones (Gidrometeoizdat, Leningrad, 1985) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  5. R. A. Cohen and C. W. Kreitzberg, “Airstream Boundaries in Numerical Weather Simulations,” Mon. Wea. Rev., No. 1, 125 (1997).

  6. R. A. Cohen and D. M. Schultz, “Contraction Rate and Its Relationship to Frontogenesis, the Lyapunov Exponent, and Airstream Boundaries,” Mon. Wea. Rev., No. 5, 133 (2005).

  7. A. Eliassen, “On the Formation of Fronts in the Atmosphere,” in The Atmosphere and the Sea in Motion. Contribution to Rossby Memorial Volume (Rockefeller Inst. Press, New York, 1959).

    Google Scholar 

  8. A. Eliassen, “On the Vertical Circulation in Frontal Zones,” Geofys. publ., No. 4, 24 (1962).

  9. W. A. Heckley and B. J. Hoskins, “Baroclinic Waves and Frontogenesis in a Non-uniform Potential Vorticity Semi-geostrophic Model,” J. Atmos. Sci., 39 (1982).

  10. B. J. Hoskins, “The Mathematical Theory of Frontogenesis,” Annual Rev. Fluid Mech., 14 (1982).

  11. B. J. Hoskins, I. Draghici, and H. C. Davies, “A New Look at the ω-equation,” Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc., 104 (1978).

  12. J. C. Jusem and R. Atlas, “Diagnostic Evaluation of Vertical Motion Forcing Mechanisms by Using Q-vector Partitioning,” Mon. Wea. Rev., No. 8, 126 (1998).

  13. D. Keyser and M. J. Pecnik, “A Two-dimensional Primitive Equation Model of Frontogenesis Forced by Confluence and Vertical Shear,” J. Atmos. Sci., 42 (1985).

  14. D. Keyser, M. J. Reeder, and R. J. Reed, “A Generalization of Petterssen’s Frontogenesis Function and Its Relation to the Forcing of Vertical Motion,” Mon. Wea. Rev., No. 3, 116 (1988).

  15. D. Keyser and M. A. Shapiro, “A Review of the Structure and Dynamics of Upper-level Frontal Zones,” Mon. Wea. Rev., No. 12, 114 (1986).

  16. J. S. Sawyer, “Dynamical Aspects of Some Simple Frontal Models,” Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc., No. 335, 78 (1952).

  17. J. S. Sawyer, “The Vertical Circulation at Meteorological Fronts and Its Relation to Frontogenesis,” Proc. Roy. Soc., Ser. A, No. 1198, 234 (1956).

  18. D. M. Schultz and C. A. Doswell III, “Conceptual Models of Upper-level Frontogenesis in South-westerly and North-westerly Flows,” Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc., 125 (1999).

  19. R. C. Sutcliffe, “A Contribution to the Problem of Development,” Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc., 73 (1947).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hydrometeorological Research Center of the Russian Federation, Bolshoi Predtechenskii per. 11-13, Moscow, 123242, Russia

    N. P. Shakina, A. R. Ivanova & N. I. Komas’ko

Authors
  1. N. P. Shakina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. R. Ivanova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. N. I. Komas’ko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. P. Shakina.

Additional information

Original Russian Text © N.P. Shakina, A.R. Ivanova, N.I. Komas’ko, 2014, published in Meteorologiya i Gidrologiya, 2014, No. 10, pp. 5–18.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shakina, N.P., Ivanova, A.R. & Komas’ko, N.I. Present-day concepts of atmospheric frontogenesis. Part 1. Theoretical ideas. Russ. Meteorol. Hydrol. 39, 639–649 (2014). https://doi.org/10.3103/S106837391410001X

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S106837391410001X

Keywords

Search

Navigation