ESS5
Prof.
Jin-Yi Yu
Steering of
Mid-Latitude Cyclones
q The movement of surface systems can be
predicted by the 500 mb pattern.
qThe surface systems
move in about the same direction as the 500 mb
flow, at about 1/2 the speed.
qUpper-level winds are
about twice as strong in winter than
summer.
qThis results in
stronger pressure gradients (and winds), resulting in
stronger and more rapidly moving surface
cyclones.