An analysis of northern hemisphere block sizes compared to climatology and seasonal variations

The goal of the following research was to discover if any trends exist between the size of large-scale, mid-latitude anticyclonic events and seasonal characteristics. A 20-year analysis of North American blocking events was compiled by calculating the mean size of each event using NCEP-NCAR analyses and a simplified Rossby wave equation. Blocking events were identified using block definitions from previous studies and retrieved from the University of Missouri-Columbia blocking database. The sizes of blocking events were then compared to Northern Hemisphere climatological information derived in previous research. Block sizes were compared to El Niño-Southern Oscillation, blocking intensity as defined by Wiedenmann et al. 2002, and other seasonal characteristics. Results will assist researchers and long-range forecasters to predict the scale and potential impacts of blocking events, of which onset and duration are currently difficult to forecast.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Soil, environmental and atmospheric sciences (MU)

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Missouri--Columbia

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Abraham, Justin John

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Lupo, Anthony R., 1966-

• anticyclonic event
• seasonal characteristics
• blocking event

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10355/15934

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/15934