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Mid-tropospheric frontal zones: Numerical experiments with an isentropic coordinate primitive equation model

Frontalzonen der mittleren Troposphäre: Numerische Experimente mit einem Modell mit Verwendung der primitiven Gleichungen und isentroper Koordinaten

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Summary

Formation of frontal zones in the mid troposphere is simulated with an adiabatic inviscid primitive equation model using potential temperature as vertical coordinate. Mid tropospheric frontogenesis takes place during the development of baroclinic waves reproduced in a periodic channel.

The importance of various terms in producing frontogenesis or frontolysis is studied diagnostically, and the results are found in essential agreement with previous studies. Differential adiabatic warming or cooling tend to dominate over deformation of horizontal temperature advection in the frontogenetical function.

The nature and role of secondary circulations transverse to the front are investigated.

Zusammenfassung

Die Bildung von Frontalzonen in der mittleren Troposphäre wird mit einem adiabatischen reibungsfreien Modell unter Verwendung der primitiven Gleichungen und der potentiellen Temperatur als vertikale Koordinate simuliert. In der mittleren Troposphäre tritt Frontogenese während der Entwicklung barokliner Wellen auf, die in einem Kanal von der Erstreckung einer Wellenlänge dargestellt werden.

Die Bedeutung verschiedener Terme für die Entstehung von Frontogenese oder Frontolyse wird analysiert. Die gefundenen Ergebnisse stimmen im wesentlichen mit früheren Untersuchungen überein. Kleinräumige adiabatische Erwärmung oder Abkühlung tendiert dazu, die Änderung der horizontalen Temperaturadvektion bei der Frontogenese zu übertreffen.

Die Natur und die Bedeutung von sekundären Zirkulationen quer zur Front werden untersucht.

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Buzzi, A., Nanni, T. & Tagliazucca, M. Mid-tropospheric frontal zones: Numerical experiments with an isentropic coordinate primitive equation model. Arch. Met. Geoph. Biokl. A. 26, 155–178 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02247160

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