Wave-breaking characteristics of midlatitude blocking

• Published in: Quarterly journal of the Royal Meteorological Society Vol. 138; no. 666; pp. 1285 - 1296
• Main Authors: Masato, G., Hoskins, B. J., Woollings, T. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.07.2012; Wiley
• Subjects: blocking types; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Meteorology; Physics of the high neutral atmosphere; Rossby waves; Rossby wave; Mid latitude; Winter; Northern Hemisphere; Atmospheric blocking; Rossby waves; Wave property; Formation mechanism; blocking types; Wave breaking

In this article, Northern Hemisphere winter midlatitude blocking is analysed through its wave‐breaking characteristics. Rossby wave breaking is identified as a key process in blocking occurrence, as it provides the mechanism for the meridional reversal pattern typical of blocking. Two indices are de...