Coherent structures in a baroclinic atmosphere. IV - A comparison between theory and data

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a data analysis, on an extensive series of Atlantic blocks, for the composites of both the positive and the negative anomaly cases and for the winter climatology, using the composite approach of Dole (1982, 1986). The results are compared with predictions of the theory formulated by Malguzzi and Malanotte-Rizzoli (1984, 1985) and Malanotte-Rizzoli and Malguzzi (1987) to model the blocking events. The results of the analyses indicate that the composite of the positive anomaly cases shows a strong northern barrier centered in the latitude band 62-72 deg N, in agreement with the northern confinement of the block. The northern, positive wall is not present in the climatology; its presence and significance are doubtful and debatable for the negative anomaly composite. For the individual positive cases for which a smooth and zonal upstream wind could be defined, the V-function shows the appearance of both a northern and southern wall below the tropopause.