Introduction | Tank – How to | Tank – Examples | Atmosphere – The Polar Front | Atmosphere – Synoptic Fronts | Theory | For Teachers | Wiki
A discussion of relevant theory on balanced motion and the thermal wind equation can be found in the following notes:
- hydrostatic balance: Section 3.2 and 3.3 here.
- geostrophic balance: Section 7.1 here.
- thermal wind equation: Section 7.3 here.
- Margules relation: Section 7.3 here.
A brief, elementary discussion of warm and cold fronts in the context of the general circulation can be found in Section 8.2.2 here.
Suggestions for Further Reading:
Extra-tropical Cyclones: The Erik Palmên Memorial Volume (1988)
The Life Cycles of Extra-tropical Cyclones (1994) edited by Mel Shapiro and Sigbjorn Cronas.
(top) In middle latitudes eddies transport warm air poleward and upward and cold air equatorward and downward. Thus, the eddies tend to “stir” the atmosphere laterally reducing the equator-to-pole temperature contrast. (middle) To the west of the ÿL¨ cold air is carried in to the tropics. To the east, warm air is carried toward the pole. The resulting cold fronts and warm fronts are marked. (bottom) Sections through the cold front, A to A’, and the warm front, B to B’, respectively.