A Case Study of Saharan Cyclogenesis

Abstract

A case of Saharan cyclogenesis associated with the equatorward intrusion of a trough at the end of the Atlantic storm track is investigated. It is shown that a potential vorticity anomaly resulting from a baroclinic wave life cycle associated with the polar jet interacts with the low-level baroclinicity over subtropical Africa beneath the subtropical jet. It is suggested that low-latitude synoptic-scale cyclogenesis events of this type can be triggered only by upper-level potential vorticity anomalies if they have a sufficient depth scale and that the interaction may be aided by the presence of low static stability associated with a well-mixed boundary layer. A weak cold front also forms during the cyclogenesis event associated with the convergence of the baroclinicity of the polar trough front with the baroclinicity of the subtropical heat low.