The Relationship Between Extratropical Cyclone Strength and Atmospheric River Intensity and Position
Abstract Extratropical cyclones (ECs) and atmospheric rivers (ARs) impact precipitation over the U.S. West Coast and other analogous regions globally. This study investigates the relationship between ECs and ARs by exploring the connections between EC strength and AR intensity and position using a n...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2019-02-01
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| Series: | Geophysical Research Letters |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL079071 |
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| _version_ | 1849321418027696128 |
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| author | Zhenhai Zhang F. Martin Ralph Minghua Zheng |
| author_facet | Zhenhai Zhang F. Martin Ralph Minghua Zheng |
| author_sort | Zhenhai Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Extratropical cyclones (ECs) and atmospheric rivers (ARs) impact precipitation over the U.S. West Coast and other analogous regions globally. This study investigates the relationship between ECs and ARs by exploring the connections between EC strength and AR intensity and position using a new AR intensity scale. While 82% of ARs are associated with an EC, only 45% of ECs have a paired AR and the distance between the AR and EC varies greatly. Roughly 20% of ARs (defined by vertically integrated water vapor transport) occur without a nearby EC. These are usually close to a subtropical/tropical moisture source and include an anticyclone. AR intensity is only moderately proportional to EC strength. Neither the location nor intensity of an AR can be simply determined by an EC. Greater EC intensification occurs with stronger ARs, suggesting that ARs enhance EC deepening by providing more water vapor for latent heat release. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fb25d05820414f8f9002c4fefd2d1bcf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0094-8276 1944-8007 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2019-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geophysical Research Letters |
| spelling | doaj-art-fb25d05820414f8f9002c4fefd2d1bcf2025-08-20T03:49:45ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072019-02-014631814182310.1029/2018GL079071The Relationship Between Extratropical Cyclone Strength and Atmospheric River Intensity and PositionZhenhai Zhang0F. Martin Ralph1Minghua Zheng2Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego CA USACenter for Western Weather and Water Extremes, Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego CA USACenter for Western Weather and Water Extremes, Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego CA USAAbstract Extratropical cyclones (ECs) and atmospheric rivers (ARs) impact precipitation over the U.S. West Coast and other analogous regions globally. This study investigates the relationship between ECs and ARs by exploring the connections between EC strength and AR intensity and position using a new AR intensity scale. While 82% of ARs are associated with an EC, only 45% of ECs have a paired AR and the distance between the AR and EC varies greatly. Roughly 20% of ARs (defined by vertically integrated water vapor transport) occur without a nearby EC. These are usually close to a subtropical/tropical moisture source and include an anticyclone. AR intensity is only moderately proportional to EC strength. Neither the location nor intensity of an AR can be simply determined by an EC. Greater EC intensification occurs with stronger ARs, suggesting that ARs enhance EC deepening by providing more water vapor for latent heat release.https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL079071atmospheric riverextratropical cyclone |
| spellingShingle | Zhenhai Zhang F. Martin Ralph Minghua Zheng The Relationship Between Extratropical Cyclone Strength and Atmospheric River Intensity and Position Geophysical Research Letters atmospheric river extratropical cyclone |
| title | The Relationship Between Extratropical Cyclone Strength and Atmospheric River Intensity and Position |
| title_full | The Relationship Between Extratropical Cyclone Strength and Atmospheric River Intensity and Position |
| title_fullStr | The Relationship Between Extratropical Cyclone Strength and Atmospheric River Intensity and Position |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Relationship Between Extratropical Cyclone Strength and Atmospheric River Intensity and Position |
| title_short | The Relationship Between Extratropical Cyclone Strength and Atmospheric River Intensity and Position |
| title_sort | relationship between extratropical cyclone strength and atmospheric river intensity and position |
| topic | atmospheric river extratropical cyclone |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL079071 |
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