8.3
Upper-Tropospheric Precursors Associated with Subtropical Cyclone Formation in the North Atlantic Basin
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We will investigate the roles of baroclinic and diabatic processes during the evolution of STCs by calculating three PV metrics from the NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis 0.5° gridded dataset. The three PV metrics quantify the relative contributions of: 1) lower-tropospheric baroclinic processes, 2) midtropospheric diabatic heating, and 3) upper-tropospheric dynamical processes during the evolution of individual cyclones. Quantification of these three contributions reveals the changing PV structure of an individual cyclone, indicates fluctuations in the dominant energy source of the cyclone, and aids in distinguishing between cyclone types.
A cyclone-relative composite analysis of North Atlantic STCs identified in a 1979–2010 climatology will be presented to document the structure, motion, and evolution of upper-tropospheric features linked to STC formation. This composite analysis highlights precursor midlatitude anticyclonic wave breaking (AWB) events that inject relatively cold upper-tropospheric air into the subtropics in association with PV streamers. Such intrusions of relatively cold upper-tropospheric air can help to destabilize the subtropical troposphere and facilitate the development of the deep convection that can serve as a catalyst for STC formation. The composite analysis indicates that STCs preferentially form beneath the equatorward ends of positively tilted PV streamers on the equatorward side of fold-over ridges produced by the antecedent AWB events. An evaluation of the relative contributions of lower-tropospheric baroclinic processes, midtropospheric diabatic heating, and upper-tropospheric dynamical processes during the evolution of STCs included in the composite analysis reveals the enhancement of upper-tropospheric PV prior to STC formation and the reduction of upper-tropospheric PV and enhancement of midtropospheric PV as STCs form and undergo TT.