The synoptic scale structure of a type of winter time baroclinic disturbance affecting the western Mexico-U.S. region is investigated by means of an objective composite analysis technique. This technique allows selection of individual cases and is based on the use of correlations between individual map variables over a domain centred on an objectively defined origin in space and time. The selection procedure is applied to a total of 19 systems to produce composite structures covering approximately 5000x4500 Km2 in map space and 3 days in time. Composites based on (a) the 3 most strongly correlated systems within a three day period and (b) the 8 to 12 most strongly correlated systems at each time within the three day period, are used for detailed diagnostic estimations. These estimations reveal the importance of both barotropic and baroc1inic processes in controlling the evolution of the 'Cold-Low' as it affects the western Mexico-U.S. region, and suggest that these disturbances may be responsible for significant subtropical-mid1atitude exchanges of heat and momentum. Some characteristics of the composite wave structure are considered within the context of recent theoretical studies of downstream development.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:645998 |
| Date | January 1980 |
| Creators | Cruz, Enrique Camarillo |
| Publisher | University of Reading |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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