LEE-SIDE FRONTOGENESIS IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS

Abstract

The development and motion of fronts associated with lee-side troughs on large mountain barriers has been investigated. These fronts differ from ordinary cold fronts in their horizontal temperature field, which is characterized by a sinusoidal thermal ridge. The thermal ridge intensifies, while remaining stationary with respect to the mountains, and moves eastward upon the approach of a Pacific cold front. An equation is derived, showing that changes in the thermal pattern can be described by changes in a potential thermal vorticity equation, which consists of three terms: (1) one representing an advection of the potential thermal vorticity by the 500-mb. wind; (2) one representing the advection of 500-mb. absolute vorticity by the thermal wind; and (3) a purely orographic term. An idealized sinusoidal model of the thickness pattern is used in conjunction with the prognostic equation to explain the development and motion of lee-side thermal ridges. Actual examples from synoptic maps are chosen to corroborate the theory. The conclusions are: (1) the thermal ridge will develop when the surface flow is such as to produce large-scale descent on the lee slopes of the mountains; (2) no thermal ridging will appear when the 500-mb. ridge lies east of the lee slopes; (3) thermal ridging will appear with the approach of a 500-mb. ridge from the west; and (4) the thermal ridge will move eastward upon the passage of the 500-mb. ridge.