Summary
The influence of turbulent friction on the propagation of cold fronts is investigated by numerical simulations using a two-dimensional mesoscale model. We compare the frictional effect with the effects of large-scale shear forcing and energy conversion at the earth's surface and discuss the synergic effect of all three mentioned processes. There is no pure superposition of these effects indicating that nonlinear interaction plays a role. In addition it is possible to show that—depending on the along-front jet—friction does not necessarily slow down the front but can also accelerate it. The direction of the along-front jet within the planetary boundary layer (PBL) is crucial for that question.
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Becker, A., Keuler, K., Ewenz, C.M. et al. Enhanced cold front propagation due to turbulent mixing. Meteorl. Atmos. Phys. 62, 201–214 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01029702
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01029702