Summary
The Iberian Peninsula is one of the regions in the world with higher occurrence of cut-off low systems (COL). The aim of this paper is to analyse the weather events (rainfall and cloudiness layer) associated to COLs in the Iberian Peninsula with tools not previously used: (a) the use of the new multidecadal COLs database developed by Nieto et al (2005) that permit us to study a 41 years period (1958–1998), (b) the checking of the expected weather events (rainfall and cloudiness layer) associated with COLs in a conceptual model (Winkler et al, 2005) and (c) the extensive use of radiosoundings to analyse convective instability in areas inside and close to the COL. Two points of view are used to make the analysis: (1) a source oriented method, when a particular COL is followed and its associated precipitation and cloudiness is analysed over four quadrants in which Iberia was divided and (2) a receptor oriented method, when the precipitation associated to COLs is analysed in given areas, defined by patterns of precipitation. Results reveal that the precipitation and cloudiness patterns associated to COLs in the conceptual model reproduce quite well the main characteristics found over the Iberian Peninsula. The generalized idea that most of the COLs produce intense convective rainfall is show to be misleading. Convective phenomena are important usually when the centre of the COL is located on the Mediterranean region. Most of the rainfall associated with COLs comes from the baroclinic shield; specially in cases located over the west half of the Iberian Peninsula. It is shown that nearly 30% of COLs do not induce any rainfall; most of them located in the southern half of the Peninsula, and mainly during autumn. Only 30% of COLs produce generalized rainfall over the whole analysed territory, being most of them (about 90%) located over the western half of the Iberian Peninsula.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
I Durre SV Russel DB Wuertz (2006) ArticleTitleOverview of the Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive J Climate 49 53–68 Occurrence Handle10.1175/JCLI3594.1
MJ Esteban-Parra FS Rodrigo Y Castro-Díez (1998) ArticleTitleSpatial and temporal patterns of precipitation in Spain for the period 1880–1992 Int J Climatol 18 1557–1574 Occurrence Handle10.1002/(SICI)1097-0088(19981130)18:14<1557::AID-JOC328>3.0.CO;2-J
Gallego MC (2004) Un estudio de la variabilidad climática en la Península Ibérica. PhD Thesis, Universidad de Extremadura, 328 pp
MC Gallego JA García JM Vaquero (2005) ArticleTitleDistribución espacial de índices de frecuencia de precipitación diaria en la Península Ibérica Física de la Tierra 16 161–174
R García D Gallego E Hernández L Gimeno P Ribera (2001) ArticleTitleInfluence of the North Atlantic Oscillation on the Canary Islands precipitation J Climate 14 IssueID19 3889–3903 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0442(2001)014<3889:IOTNAO>2.0.CO;2
BJ Hoskins ME McIntyre AW Robertson (1985) ArticleTitleOn the use and significance of isentropic potential vorticity maps Q J Roy Meteor Soc 111 877–946 Occurrence Handle10.1256/smsqj.47001
A Jansá (2004) ArticleTitle¿Qué es la gota fría? Ambienta 36 59–62
Knippertz P, Martin JE (2005) Tropical plumes and extreme precipitation in subtropical and tropical West Africa. Q J Roy Meteor Soc (in press)
Kurz M (1998) Synoptic meteorlogy. Deutscher Wetterdienst Offenbach am Main, 200 pp
Llasat MC (1987) Episodios de lluvias copiosas en Cataluña: génesis, evolución y factores coadyuvantes. PhD Thesis, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, 543 pp
MC Llasat M Puigcerver (1987) ArticleTitleGotas de aire frío Revista de Geofísica 42 245–246
MC Llasat M Puigcerver (1989) ArticleTitleGotas de aire frío en la Península Ibérica: Características Revista de Geofísica 45 177–188
MC Llasat M Puigcerver (1990) ArticleTitleCold air pools over Europe Meteorol Atmos Phys 42 171–177 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01314823
Llasat MC, Martín F, Barrera A (2005) From the concept of “Kaltluftropfen” (cold air pool) to the cut-off low. The case of September 1971 in Spain as an example of their role in heavy rainfalls. Meteorol Atmos Phys (this issue)
Martín León F (2003) Las gotas frías/DANAs, ideas y conceptos básicos. Nota técnica del Servicio de Técnicasde Análisis y Predicción (STAP), no 38, 14 pp. Instituto Nacional de Meteorología. Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid (in Spanish)
D Muñoz-Díaz FS Rodrigo (2004a) ArticleTitleImpacts of North Atlantic Oscillation on the probability of dry and wet winters in Spain Climate Res 27 33–43
D Muñoz-Díaz FS Rodrigo (2004b) ArticleTitleSpatio-temporal patterns of seasonal rainfall in Spain (1912–2000) using cluster and principal component analysis: comparison Ann Geophys 22 1435–1448 Occurrence Handle10.5194/angeo-22-1435-2004
Nieto R, Gimeno L, de la Torre L, Ribera P, Gallego D, García-Herrera R, García JA, Nuñez M, Redaño A, Lorente J (2005) Climatological features of cut-off low systems in the Northern Hemisphere. J Climate 18, No 16: 3085–3103
Nieto R, Gimeno L, de la Torre L, Ribera P, Barriopedro D, García-Herrera R, Serrano A, Gordillo A, Redaño A, Lorente J (2006) Interannual variability of cut-off low systems over the European sector: the role of blocking and the Northern Hemisphere Circulation Modes. Meteorol Atmos Phys (this issue)
E Palmen CW Newton (1969) Atmospheric circulation systems Academic Press New York London 273–285
C Rodríguez-Puebla AH Encinas S Nieto J Garmendia (1998) ArticleTitleSpatial and temporal patterns of annual precipitation variability over the Iberian Peninsula Int J Climatol 18 299–316 Occurrence Handle10.1002/(SICI)1097-0088(19980315)18:3<299::AID-JOC247>3.0.CO;2-L
A Serrano JA García VL Mateos ML Cancillo J Garrido (1999) ArticleTitleMonthly modes of variation of precipitation over the Iberian Peninsula J Climate 12 2894–2919 Occurrence Handle10.1175/1520-0442(1999)012<2894:MMOVOP>2.0.CO;2
Winkler R et al (2005) Manual of synoptic satellite meteorology. Conceptual models, Vers. 6.0. (Available at Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics, Hohe Warte 38, 1190 Vienna, Austria)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nieto, R., Gimeno, L., Añel, J. et al. Analysis of the precipitation and cloudiness associated with COLs occurrence in the Iberian Peninsula. Meteorol. Atmos. Phys. 96, 103–119 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-006-0223-6
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-006-0223-6