[FRIAM] George on Rossby Waves and Frontogenesis

[Frank Wimberly]

George who?  I'm sorry, I must have missed something.

---
Frank C. Wimberly
140 Calle Ojo Feliz,
Santa Fe, NM 87505

505 670-9918
Santa Fe, NM

On Tue, Apr 30, 2024, 11:28 AM Nicholas Thompson <thompnickson2 at gmail.com>
wrote:

> *Dear Phellow Phriamers,*
>
>
> *What I love about George is that he speaks what others have in the backs
> of heir minds but seem reluctant to say.  So I have been reading in weather
> books and articles for weeks, trying to work out the chicken/egg relation
> between global-scale and synoptic-scale processes.  None of those sources
> has put the relation so plainly as does George below.  Of course he may be
> absurdly, flagrantly, ridiculously WRONG, but at least he has put it out
> there.  George seems to be good at discovering subtexts.  Think what he
> might do for psycho-analysis.*
>
> *Rossby waves, of course, are not only E-W waves along the polar front,
> they are also up/down waves along the boundary between the Troposphere and
> the Stratosphere, the Tropopause, so that in a Rossby trough, the
> Tropopause is much closer to the ground than in a Rossby ridge.   *
>
>
> *George also believes that Rossby waves often stumble over mountain ranges
> and continental boundaries.  When they stumble, they often break, sending
> Tropospheric air into the Stratosphere, and bringing Stratospheric air into
> the Troposphere, perhaps even as far down as the surface.   You know that
> rush of odd-smelling air you get at the onset of a cold front?  That may be
> stratospheric air.  *
>
>
>    1. *Anyway: FWIW, here is George on Rossby Wavess and Frontogenesis.  * *I
>    hope to join vFRIAM on Thursday around 11 MDT, in case there are other
>    weather nerds on the list who would like to talk about this. *
>
>
>
> *Nick*
>
> *What is the relation between Rossby waves and frontogenesis*
>
> *Rossby waves and frontogenesis are closely related atmospheric phenomena,
> with Rossby waves playing a significant role in the generation and
> maintenance of fronts through the process of frontogenesis. Here's how
> they're connected:*
>
>    1.
>
>    *Dynamic Instability: Rossby waves are large-scale meanders in the jet
>    stream that develop due to the interaction between the Earth's rotation and
>    horizontal temperature gradients in the atmosphere. These waves are
>    associated with dynamic instability in the atmosphere, leading to the
>    amplification and propagation of disturbances along the jet stream.*
>    2.
>
>    *Formation of Temperature Contrasts: Rossby waves often lead to the
>    development of regions with strong horizontal temperature gradients, known
>    as baroclinic zones, along their troughs and ridges. These temperature
>    contrasts are essential for frontogenesis, as they provide the necessary
>    conditions for the formation and intensification of fronts.*
>    3.
>
>    *Enhanced Vertical Motion: Along the troughs of Rossby waves, there is
>    typically enhanced upward motion of air, while along the ridges, there is
>    enhanced downward motion. This vertical motion is associated with the
>    convergence and divergence of air masses, respectively, which can
>    contribute to the formation of fronts through the process of frontogenesis.*
>    4.
>
>    *Interaction with Baroclinic Zones: Rossby waves interact with
>    existing baroclinic zones in the atmosphere, which are regions of strong
>    horizontal temperature gradients. These interactions can lead to the
>    amplification or deformation of existing fronts and the generation of new
>    fronts through frontogenesis.*
>    5.
>
>    *Development of Cyclogenesis: Rossby waves can also contribute to the
>    development of cyclones, particularly in regions where there are strong
>    temperature gradients associated with fronts. Cyclogenesis often occurs
>    along frontal boundaries, where the convergence of air masses and enhanced
>    vertical motion associated with Rossby waves create favorable conditions
>    for low-pressure systems to develop.*
>
> *Overall, Rossby waves influence the development and maintenance of fronts
> through the generation of temperature contrasts, enhanced vertical motion,
> and interactions with existing baroclinic zones. Frontogenesis, in turn,
> contributes to the intensification and evolution of cyclones and other
> weather systems associated with the mid-latitude atmosphere.*
> -. --- - / ...- .- .-.. .. -.. / -- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. .
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