The Dynamics of Extratropical Oceanic Cyclones

A temperature structure appropriate for maritime areas is employed to find exact solutions to the non-linear quasi-geostrophic omega and vorticity equations, using a procedure similar to that used in a quasigeostrophic model by Sanders (1971). Results are qualitatively similar to those found in the latter model, and thus, are consistent with the traditional baroclinic stability theory. The principal improvement in this new version is the finding that for intensifying storms, the cold tropospheric temperature perturbation also intensifies. This temperature perturbation is crucial to the storm intensification. Thus, we have a consistent physical mechanism which accounts for observed intensification of baroclinic waves. A frictional formulation is developed by solving for the frictionally induced vertical motion, and solving the vorticity equation, which includes both the effects of divergence and dissipation. A check on the validity of the frictional expression is made in connection with a simple thoery of thickness change over low centers. It is m_-_riumaursrcn~~,~-*a~__________~,,,__ nrr~FIUL.--,~