Results from the Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment physical oceanographic studies: Introduction

Abstract

The Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment (GALE) was conducted during early 1986 to investigate the rapidly developing, extratropical winter cyclones that travel across eastern North America and out over the northwestern Atlantic Ocean. Until only recently, these storms have been difficult to predict accurately [Sanders, 1986a, b], and they are well known for the devastating weather they sometimes bring to the eastern seaboard [Bosart, 1981; Kocin and Uccellini, 1984]. Such storms frequently produce “crippling” ice, heavy snow, and gale force winds, and they may batter the east coast from the Carolinas northward, often causing property damage and loss of life. The strong winds that accompany such a storm, as well as the cold, dry, continental air that often flows out over the Atlantic during the cold air outbreak stage of the storm's passage, are responsible for some of the most vigorous air‐sea exchanges of momentum, heat, and moisture in this part of the world [Budyko, 1974; Bunker and Worthington, 1976].