A Diagnostic and Dynamical Study of the Midwinter Minimum of the Pacific Storm Track

Deng, Yi

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Description

Title

A Diagnostic and Dynamical Study of the Midwinter Minimum of the Pacific Storm Track

Author(s)

Deng, Yi

Issue Date

2005

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Mak, Mankin

Department of Study

Atmospheric Sciences

Discipline

Atmospheric Sciences

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

Physics, Atmospheric Science

Language

eng

Abstract

"In NH winter, the Pacific storm track tends to reach its maximum intensity during early and late winter, leaving a distinct minimum in January, which is known as ""midwinter minimum"" (MWMIN) of the Pacific storm track. The main objective of this study is to explain the origin of MWMIN from the perspective of dry dynamics. Diagnosing 40-year NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, we examined the frequency of occurrence of MWMIN and the structural features in the planetary-scale flow associated with MWMIN. The results suggest a hypothesis that a significant enhancement of the barotropic damping relative to the baroclinic growth from early to midwinter is an important contributing factor for MWMIN. This hypothesis is tested with both an idealized quasi-geostrophic two-level model and a relatively realistic primitive equation model. The model results are compared against observations from the perspective of eddy energetics. Remaining questions and their implications are discussed."

Graduation Semester

2005

Type of Resource

text

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