Geopotential height at 500 hPa

As for the surface height field, also here the main feature at this point of time is the intensive upper level ridge over the Atlantic and an upper level trough over north-east Europe. The high gradient of isohypses between Scandinavia and Great Britain suggests that very strong northwesterly jet must be located there. This is also confirmed by the fibrous clouds that follow the highest gradient region.

The ridge remains over British Isles whereas the small scale trough over Baltic sea is deepening.

The frontal cloud band is moving downward on the leading side of the upper-level ridge. The strong gradient in the field of geopotential indicates that there is a region of the strong wind even in the 500 hPa geopotential height. At the end of the high gradient zone there is intensification of frontal cloudiness.

The upper ridge is stationary and the frontal zone is moving to the south-east. The trough over the north-east Europe deepens further.

The small scale upper level trough over Poland becomes more pronounced and it is at the same position like a surface low (AT1000 hPa). The ridge becomes a little bit stronger and moves a little to the east. There is already an indication of the development in the south Adriatic - look at the small-scale trough there.

The upper level trough moves to the south and the axis is just over the small comma structure over Hungary.

The trough is moving to the east. There is area without gradient in the field of geopotential but the frontal cloud band moves far to the south-east. The upper-level ridge becomes stronger and on the front side of the ridge, behind the frontal zone cold advection goes on.

The deep upper level trough is extending from Finland over east Europe to the south Adriatic and is over the surface low.

The upper level trough becomes deeper and is again the only indication for small comma structure over south Adriatic.