GEOG 2110L Lecture Notes - Cold Front, Cyclogenesis, Stratus Cloud

• School: University of Georgia
• Department: Geography
• Course: GEOG 2110L
• Professor: David Stanley

Document Summary

*** a low pressure cell that forms & moves along a (cold and warm) front. Counter- clockwise circulation (nh) around the cyclone tends to produce the wavelike deformation of the front. Stages of the wave cyclone life cycle: (lifespan of 3-5 days) Stage 1: 2 air masses, (a cold & a warm), are set-up along a front & move parallel to it. Stage 2: a wave forms & warm air starts to move poleward while cold air moves equatorward. Stage 3: cyclonic (counter-clockwise) circulation develops, with general convergence at the surface and uplifting; warm overrides the cold air (frontal wedging); cold front & Stage 4: cold front moving faster than the warm front and begins to overtake it; occulsion begins , forming an occluded front. Stage 5: full development of an occluded front & maximum intensity of the wave cyclone; steep pressure gradient & strong winds. Stage 6: pressure gradient weakens, energy exhausted & system dissipates.