Atmospheric Frontal Dynamics

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Atmospheric frontal zones, the transition zone between relatively warm and cold air masses, are highly turbulent. In the this zone, kinetic energy is dissipated and internal waves are generated which may result in severe convective activity or turbulence far from the front. Both of these processes have implications for atmospheric predictability. The principal investigator will employ two approaches in the study of frontal zones. He will analyze observations taken during a recent field program designed to investigate frontal processes known as STORM-FEST, and will use wavelet decomposition as his principal analysis tool. He will also conduct a number of modeling experiments with the goal of isolating the physical processes important for frontal evolution. Many of the important physical processes that govern the behavior of weather systems occur on scales which are not explicitly resolved in numerical prediction models. The ultimate goal of this study is to provide information which will allow the development of representations of such and, thereby, improve numerical weather forecasts.