Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Tracking surface cyclones with moist potential vorticity

  • Published:
Advances in Atmospheric Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Surface cyclone tracks are investigated in the context of moist potential vorticity (MPV). A prognostic equation of surface absolute vorticity is derived which provides a basis for using negative MPV (NMPV) in the troposphere as an alternative approach to track surface cyclones. An observed case study of explosive lee cyclogenesis is performed to test the effectiveness of the MPV approach. It is shown that when a surface cyclone signal is absent due to the blocking of the Rocky Mountains, the surface cyclone can be well identified by tracing the peak NMPV.

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

  • Blackmon, M. L., J. M. Wallace, N.-C. Lau, and S. L. Mullen, 1977: An observational study of the Northern Hemisphere wintertime circulation.J. Atmos. Sci.,34, 1040–1053.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blender, R., K. Fraedrich, and F. Lunkeit, 1997: Identification of cyclone-track regimes in the North Atlantic.Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,123, 727–741.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bond, N. A., and R. G. Fleagle, 1985: Structure of a cold front over the ocean.Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,111, 739–759.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, Z., and H.-R. Cho, 1995: Generation of moist potential vorticity in extratropical cyclones.J. Atmos. Sci.,52, 3263–3281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, Z., and G. W. K. Moore, 1998: A diagnostic study of moist potential vorticity generation in an extratropical cyclone.Adv. Atmos. Sci.,15, 152–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carnell, R. E., and C. A. Senior, 1998: Changes in midlatitude variability due to increasing greenhouse gases and sulphate aerosols.Climate Dyn.,14, 369–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, C. A., and K. A. Emanuel, 1991: Potential vorticity diagnosis of cyclogenesis.Mon. Wea. Rev.,119, 1929–1953.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gyakum, J., D.-L. Zhang, J. Witte, K. Thomas, and W. Wintels, 1996: CASP II and Canadian cyclones during the 1989–92 cold seasons.Atmos.-Ocean,34, 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoskins, B. J., M. E. McIntyre, and A. W. Robertson, 1985: On the use and significance of isentropic potential vorticity maps.Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,111, 877–946.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, Q., and E. R. Reiter, 1987: A diagnostic study of explosive cyclogenesis in the lee of the Rocky mountains.Meteor. Atmos. Phys.,36, 161–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huo, Z., D.-L. Zhang, and J. Gyakum, 1998: An application of potential vorticity inversion to improving the numerical prediction of the March 1993 superstorm.Mon. Wea. Rev.,126, 424–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lau, N.-C., 1988: Variability of the observed midlatitude storm tracks in relation to low-frequency changes in the circulation pattern.J. Atmos. Sci.,45, 2718–2743.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, P. J., 1987: Severe storms over the Great Lakes: A catalogue summary for the period 1957 to 1985. Canadian Climate Center Rep. 87-13, Meteorological Service of Canada, Downsview, ON, Canada, 342pp. [Available from Climatological Services Division, Meteorological Service of Canada, 4905 Dufferin St., Downsview, ON M3H 5T4, Canada.]

    Google Scholar 

  • Mass, C. F., and D. P. Dempsey, 1985: A one-level, mesoscale model for diagnosing surface winds in mountainous and coastal regions.Mon. Wea. Rev.,113, 1211–1227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petterssen, S., 1956:Weather Analysis and Forecasting. Vol. 1, McGraw-Hill, 428pp.

  • Serreze, M. C., 1995: Climatological aspects of cyclone development and decay in the Arctic.Atmos.-Ocean,33, 1–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorpe, A. J., and S. A. Clough, 1991: Mesoscale dynamics of cold fronts: Structures described by dropsoundings in FRONTS 87.Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,117, 903–941.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, J. M., G.-H. Lim, and M. L. Blackmon, 1988: On the relationship between cyclone tracks, anticyclone tracks and baroclinic waveguides.J. Atmos. Sci.,45, 439–462.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, G., and H. Liu, 1997: Vertical vorticity development owing to down-sliding at slantwise isentropic surface.Dyn. Atmos. Oceans,27, 715–743.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, D.-L., and H.-R. Cho, 1992: The development of negative moist potential vorticity in the stratiform region of a simulated squall line.Mon. Wea. Rev.,120, 1322–1341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Meteorological Service of Canada, Ontario, Canada

    Zuohao Cao

  2. Department of Meteorology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland

    Da-Lin Zhang

Authors
  1. Zuohao Cao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Da-Lin Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zuohao Cao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cao, Z., Zhang, DL. Tracking surface cyclones with moist potential vorticity. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 21, 830–835 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02916379

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02916379

Key words

Search

Navigation