P1.19
Formation of intense warm core vortices through tropopause – surface coupling
Gregory J. Tripoli, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI
Hybrid warm core vortices are often observed within warm occlusions especially in hyper-baroclinic environments. Examples include polar lows in the North Atlantic along the polar ice shelf, certain intense storms in the Mediterranean adjacent to the warm Saharah and storms along the east coast of North America adjacent to the Gulf Stream. Recent analysis of mesoscale simulations has suggested that these vortices are spawned from air having stratospheric origins. Filaments of high potential vorticity air appear to be detached from the lower stratosphere and brought down to the lower troposphere by the contrasting warm temperatures across a baroclinic zone. These filaments ball up within a warm occlusion to form intense warm core vortices. Since these vortices are often formed over warm water, WISHE modes quickly develop. Examples of this process will be presented at the meeting.
Poster Session 1, General Poster Session (Hall 4AB)
Monday, 12 January 2004, 2:30 PM-4:00 PM, Hall 4AB
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