Research Summaries

Back Boundary Layer Effects on Atmospheric Fronts

Fiscal Year 2007
Division Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Science
Department Meteorology
Investigator(s) Chang, Chih-Pei
Sponsor National Science Foundation (NSF)
Summary One of the goals of the U.S. Weather Research Program is to improve the prediction of heavy precipitation events that are often associated with frontal systems. The objective of this proposed research is to improve our understanding of the influence of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) on atmospheric fronts. Extensive research has been devoted to frontal dynamics and the influence of the underlying topography on them. However, the effect of the boundary layer on the development and modification of fronts as they move over various surfaces is not well understood. We plan to investigate the structure of fronts that form over the ocean and subsequently move over land. These fronts are very sensitive to the temperature difference between the air and the ocean. Unbalanced frontogenesis occurs when initial wind and pressure fields are not in approximate geostrophic balance. This type of frontogenesis can play an important role in the formation of intense, small-scale fronts. We expect that PBL effects will be important since these fronts are often generated by surface heating. Overall, the objective of the proposal is to investigate the influence of the boundary layer on fronts that are formed under various conditions. The study would enhance our understanding of frontal development and variation that are crucial in mid-latitude weather prediction.
Keywords
Publications Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal