Extended Abstract (56K)P5.8
An objective climatology of Carolina coastal fronts
Wyat K. Appel, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC; and A. J. Riordan
An objective algorithm for identifying and tracking coastal fronts along the coast of the Carolinas has been developed based on surface hourly data from buoys and land stations. A nine-year climatology was performed, resulting in the identification of over 200 coastal fronts. Each front was characterized and tracked as it moved inland, moved seaward, or dissipated. Characteristics of the fronts included temperature gradient, frontogenesis, hours of occurrence, and persistence. Analysis of the associated gross upper-level atmospheric features was also performed with the aim of distinguishing different types of frontal characteristics and behavior. The intent of the study is to improve our knowledge of coastal fronts and aid local forecasters in anticipating the timing of landfall and forecasting the speed of inland movement.
Poster Session 5, Poster Session - Operational Use of Analysis for Forecast Development—with Coffee Break
Thursday, 2 August 2001, 2:30 PM-4:00 PM
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