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Modification of fronts by the Alps: Simulations and numerical experimentation

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Summary

An isentropic limited area model is used to simulate and investigate the frontal passages of 3 May and 8 October 1987. It is demonstrated that a southward outbreak of air with high potential vorticity on 3 May 1987 affected the propagation of the front to the north of the Alps and the related formation of an orographic jet. Moreover, the outbreak plays a crucial role in the genesis of a lee cyclone. On the other hand, no such outbreak occurred on 8 October 1987 and it is shown that the propagation of the front near the ground was hardly affected by the flow at upper levels.

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Tafferner, A., Egger, J. Modification of fronts by the Alps: Simulations and numerical experimentation. Meteorl. Atmos. Phys. 48, 193–203 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01029568

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01029568

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