Synoptic diagnosis of frontogenetic and cyclogenetic processes

Abstract

In the paper it is shown that theQ-vector defined by Hoskins et al. is a suitable aid for the diagnosis of frontogenetic and cyclogenetic processes. It allows a direct estimation of frontogenetic (or frontolytic) effects within the geostrophic wind field and of the macro-scale forcing of vertical motions. A partitioning of the forcing is possible into one part depending on divergences along the frontal zone and working in short baroclinic waves, and another part connected with frontogenesis (or frontolysis) and causing circulatory motions around the frontal zone. Thus the intercorrelation between both processes can be easily studied.