CHAPTER FIVE - MOVEMENT OF ANTICYCLONES IN NORTH AMERICA

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the polar anticyclones east of the continental divide. It discusses the parameters used in forecasting the movement of anticyclones, defines the measurements, and discusses the methods of combining them into an objective forecasting tool. There are two features of the upper air charts that appear to have predominant influence on the movement of polar anticyclones: steering and cold advection. Another feature having a predominant influence on the movement of the polar anticyclone is the apparent cold advection area or cross isotherm flow area at 850 mb. Many anticyclones move toward such cold advection centers. Apparently, if modified by other pertinent factors, the speed of the upper-level flow can be useful to determine the forecast speed of the anticyclone center. The chapter presents some methods for forecasting the direction and speed of movement of migratory anticyclones in North America, utilizing the 850-, 700-, and 500-mb constant pressure charts.