Components of large-scale kinetic energy generation during an eastern Mediterranean cyclogenesis

Abstract

The kinetic energy generation due to cross-isobaric flow is defined by the product — v·∇Φ). This process is considered to be adiabatic and thermodynamically reversible. In thex, y, p coordinate system this function may be resolved into itsx andy components, which involve the zonal and meridional wind components, i.e.\( - u\frac{{\partial \Phi }}{{\partial x}}\) and\( - v\frac{{\partial \Phi }}{{\partial y}}\) respectively. The contribution of each of these components to the generation function during a case of cyclogenesis over the eastern Mediterranean is studied. The depression deepened rapidly between 9th and 10th December 1980 and was accompanied by severe weather conditions all over the eastern Mediterranean.