Mid-latitude cyclones (weather and climate)

Mid-latitude cyclones

Migrating low pressure system that occurs on the midlatitude. Form where two contrasting air masses meet.

Midlatitude cyclones are ___ in the NH

Counterclockwise

Midlatitude cyclones are ___ in the SH

Clockwise

Jet stream guide midlatitude cyclones ___

West to east

midlatitude cyclone paths are further __ in summer and __ in winter

Northward, southward

Cyclogenesis

Developing stage, begins along polar front where cold and warm air masses converge, creating instability

Open stage

Defined cold and warm fronts, maturing stage, warm air moving northward and cold air moving southward, counterclockwise flow in NH.

Occluded stage

Cold front overtakes warm front, creating and occluded front, surface war front is overrun by cold front; leads to lifting of warm air wedge off the ground, associates with moderate to heavy precipitation. Cyclone continues to wrap up the low pressure.

Dissolving stage

Cut off from energy and moisture sources, cyclone ides when cut off from warm air mass