Advection Methodology

Word Key:

=========

WAA = Warm Air Advection (RED)

CAA = Cold Air Advection (BLUE)

CVA = Cyclonic Vorticity Advection (RED)

AVA = Anticyclonic Vorticity Advection (BLUE)

Baroclinic Zone = a tightly packed "thermal ribbon" of isotherms or 1000-500 mb thickness contours.

Triple Point = where the WARM FRONT, COLD FRONT and OCCLUDED FRONT all meet.

Vort Max = the highest value of absolute vorticity within a series of usually circular contours, marked by "X".

Vort Min = the lowest value of absolute vorticity within a series of usually circular contours, marked by "N".

Solenoid = the "box" formed by the intersections of the advecting quantity (e.g., the wind) and the property begin advected (e.g., isotherms, thickness, vorticity, etc.)

Advection Methodology: once you have identified a "solenoid", figuratively place yourself in the "box" facing the wind; note the values of the parameter being advected in front and behind you; if the values coming at you are increasing then you have identified the type of "advection" ... WAA or CVA ... depending on what map you are analyzing; if the values coming at you are decreasing in value, then you have identified ... CAA or AVA ... again depending on what map you are analyzing.

Frontal Placement Pattern Recognition

PLACEMENT OF FRONTS USING THICKNESS CONTOURS: the low pressure is usually at the "infection point" of the thickness contours; the WARM FRONT is placed at the back end of the "fanned out" thickness contours of the WAA area; the COLD FRONT is drawn at the leading edge of the (more tightly packed) thickness contours of the CAA area (or in other words, at the leading edge of the "Baroclinic Zone"). If the low pressure seems "detached" from the WAA/CAA pattern, it may be OCCLUDED. First, draw in the WARM FRONT and COLD FRONT, as noted above. In this case, they will meet away from the low center itself. The OCCLUDED FRONT is drawn from the "triple point" up along the "thickness ridge" to the low pressure center.