Authors
KNMI:
Jos Diepeveen,
UKMO:
Jason Bradley
Introduction
This case study deals with a rapid (lee)cyclogenesis case just S of Iceland from 16-19 October 2004. In the
satellite image below, the mature stage of the cyclone can be seen.
Meteosat 8 IR 10.8 18 Oct 2005, 18 UTC
The aim of this case study is to:
- Follow the different development stages in satellite imagery with the help of basic and combined satellite channels
- Investigate the physical background by using relevant numerical parameters and relate the actual case to conceptual models of typical Rapid Cyclogenesis
In this study a
development of a mid-latitude cyclone will be shown. The development takes place because of the interaction
between an upper level PV anomaly and a tightening/sharpening baroclinic zone, which can be identified as a
low-level PV anomaly. Mutual interaction takes place which eventually leads to a deep surface cyclone. What makes
this case atypical and interesting is the fact that the surface cyclone doesn't show much displacement, especially during
the deepening phase. It seems that the effect of the orography of Iceland plays a role here, together with the
fact that the upper level trough is quasi-stationary and only showing a sharpening and in the end stage becomes
a cut-off low. Therefore this development has some common characteristics of two conceptual models, namely
Rapid Cyclogenesis and
Upper Level Low. It is recommended to study these conceptual models from
the
SATMANU (Satellite Manual) first before going into this case.