Work

A Climatology and Life‐Cycle Characteristics of Atmospheric Fronts and Their Associated Precipitation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Atmospheric fronts are one of the main sources of mid‐latitude variability. We employ a novel method for identifying and tracking fronts and frontal precipitation. Thermal and dynamical variables are used to identify fronts as areal objects in space, which are tracked in time using the open‐source TempestExtremes software package. Precipitation objects are co‐located to identify frontal precipitation. The method is subjected to validation and sensitivity tests using manually curated data from the National Weather Service. Climatologies of fronts and frontal precipitation are computed from reanalysis and observations; fronts are present upwards of 14% of the time in the storm tracks, and represent the majority (up to 90%) of total and extreme precipitation. Novel aspects of the method are showcased through the lifetime characteristics of fronts across North America. Three sets of warm and cold fronts were discovered, and their duration, distance‐traveled, and translation velocity are examined.

Source: Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres

DOI: 10.1029/2024jd041609

Authors: John Landy, Kevin A. Reed, Alan M. Rhoades, Paul A. Ullrich

Institutions: Stony Brook University, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Davis

Language: English

Topic: Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory