Dynamical Interpretation of Conceptual Models of Frontal Structure and Circulations

由于对各种气象环境中的锋面气旋进行了大量的个例研究，以温带扰动为特征的弯曲流动中的锋面演变和结构的概念模型在数量和质量上都有所增加。凯瑟将把这些模型放在一个形式化的、量化的动态背景下。这将通过对客观分析的中尺度观测场的垂直环流、辐合和散度风型以及位涡的诊断，以及在使用中尺度数值模式的短期数值预报中来实现。诊断出的场的显著特征将与概念模型中隐含的特征以及理想化的动力学理论所预测的特征进行比较。特别是，美国中部的锋面系统将成为研究对象，以便利用1992年2月和3月举行的风暴锋面实验系统测试(STORMFEST)。

Conceptual models of frontal evolution and structure within the curved flow charactestic of extratropical disturbances have grown in number and qualitative complexity, as a result of numerous case-studies of frontal cyclones in a variety of meteorological environments. Keyser will place these models into a formalized, quantitative dynamic context. This will be approached through diagnoses of the vertical circulations, converging and diverging wind patterns, and potential vorticity fields in objectively analyzed observed mesoscale fields, and in short-term numerical forecasts using mesoscale numerical models. Distinctive features of the diagnosed fields will be compared to those implicit in the conceptual models, and to those predicted by idealized dynamical theories. In particular, frontal systems in the central U.S. will be the object of study in order to take advantage of the STORM- Fronts Experiment Systems Test (STORMFEST) to take place in February and March 1992.