Surface Dynamics of Observed Maritime Fronts

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Abstract
The problem of establishing the important mechanisms and processes in surface fronts is examined. It is shown that boundary layer processes may modify the details of frontal dynamics near the surface and that at the same time fronts may alter boundary layer solutions. A similarity model that assumes a horizontally homogeneous steady-state planetary boundary layer is used to test the effects of baroclinity and stratification on the ageostrophic vorticity. Model response to baroclinity and stratification is tested. A boundary layer positive feedback mechanism that stems from the variation in stratification and thermal advection across a front and favors the creation of stronger temperature gradients in cold fronts is proposed. A compatible model that includes the effects of horizontal inhomogeneity is derived and used in conjunction with scatterometer data to observe the behavior of five surface fronts. Observations are compared to results of numerical models by several authors and it is concluded ... Abstract The problem of establishing the important mechanisms and processes in surface fronts is examined. It is shown that boundary layer processes may modify the details of frontal dynamics near the surface and that at the same time fronts may alter boundary layer solutions. A similarity model that assumes a horizontally homogeneous steady-state planetary boundary layer is used to test the effects of baroclinity and stratification on the ageostrophic vorticity. Model response to baroclinity and stratification is tested. A boundary layer positive feedback mechanism that stems from the variation in stratification and thermal advection across a front and favors the creation of stronger temperature gradients in cold fronts is proposed. A compatible model that includes the effects of horizontal inhomogeneity is derived and used in conjunction with scatterometer data to observe the behavior of five surface fronts. Observations are compared to results of numerical models by several authors and it is concluded ...

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