Atmospheric Frontal Dynamics

该奖项支持的研究目标是开发一种简单的三维、非线性的大气锋面数值模式，并将其用于研究锋面形成过程，重点是锋区向稳定状态锋面的演变。该模式同时考虑了边界层中的斜压不稳定和粘性耗散以及它们之间的相互作用。使用该模式，PI将预报锋面达到稳定状态所需的时间、基本气流的修正、维持锋面对比度的次级环流以及锋面的尺度。然后将模式结果与观测到的锋面特征进行比较。大气锋面的发展演变是动力气象学研究中具有挑战性的问题之一。在过去的几年里，PI研究了正面行为的许多方面，他的研究对我们理解这些行为做出了重要贡献。

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.