Atmospheric Frontal Dynamics

该奖项支持的研究目标是开发一个简单的三维非线性大气锋面数值模型，并利用该模型研究锋面形成过程，重点研究锋面区向稳态锋面的演变。该模型同时考虑了斜压不稳定性和边界层的粘滞耗散及其相互作用。使用该模型，PI将预测锋面达到稳定状态所需的时间、基本气流的变化、维持锋面对比的二次循环以及锋面的规模。然后将模型结果与观测到的锋面特征进行比较。大气锋的发展和演变是动力气象学中一个具有挑战性的问题。在过去的几年里，PI研究了正面行为的许多方面，他的研究对我们对它们的理解做出了重大贡献。

The objective of the research supported under this award is to develop a simple three-dimensional, nonlinear, numerical model of atmospheric fronts and use it to study the process of frontogenesis, focusing on the evolution of a frontal zone into a steady state front. The model incorporates both baroclinic instability and viscous dissipation in the boundary layer and their interaction. Using this model, the PI will predict the time required for the front to reach a steady state, the modification of the basic flow, the secondary circulations that maintain the frontal contrasts, and the scale of the front. The model results will then be compared with observed frontal characteristics. The development and evolution of atmospheric fronts is one of the challenging problems in dynamic meteorology. The PI has examined a number of aspects of frontal behavior over the last several years and his research has contributed significantly to our understanding of them.