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Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9, 7591-7605, 2009
www.atmos-chem-phys.net/9/7591/2009/ doi:10.5194/acp-9-7591-2009 © Author(s) 2009. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. |
Clarification on the generation of absolute and potential vorticity in mesoscale convective vortices
1Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
2WindLogics Inc., Grand Rapids, Minnesota, USA
3Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, USA
Abstract. In this paper, we clarify several outstanding issues concerning the predominant mechanism of vorticity generation in mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs) in weak to modest baroclinic environments with nonzero Coriolis parameter. We examine also the corresponding diabatic heating profiles of the convective and stratiform components of the MCS and their effects on the concentration and dilution of PV substance.
Citation: Conzemius, R. J. and Montgomery, M. T.: Clarification on the generation of absolute and potential vorticity in mesoscale convective vortices, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 9, 7591-7605, doi:10.5194/acp-9-7591-2009, 2009.