WW2010
University of Illinois

WW2010
 
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Online Guides
 
introduction
 
meteorology
 
remote sensing
 
reading maps
 
projects, activities

Meteorology
 
introduction
 
air masses, fronts
 
clouds, precipitation
 
el nino
 
forces, winds
 
hurricanes
 
hydrologic cycle
 
light, optics
 
midlatitude cyclones
 
severe storms
 
weather forecasting

Midlatitude Cyclones
 
introduction
 
definition
 
associated winds
 
air masses
 
on satellite images
 
upper air features

User Interface
 
graphics
text

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Midlatitude Cyclones
bringing weather change
[Image: home image (68K)]
Graphic by: Ed Mlodzik

Midlatitude cyclones are the cause of most of the stormy weather in the United States, espeically during the winter season. Understanding the structure and evolution of midlatitude cyclones is crucial for predicting significant weather phenomena such as blizzards, flooding rains, and severe weather.

A midlatitude cyclone is an area of low pressure located between 30 degrees and 60 degrees latitude. Since the continental United States is located in this latitude belt, these cyclones impact the weather in the U.S.

This instructional module introduces the most important features of midlatitude cyclones. The module is divided into the following sections:

Sections
Last Update: 08/22/97		 Definition of a Cyclone
The general structure of a cyclone and associated air masses and fronts is discussed.

Winds Associated With a Cyclone
A cyclone can be located simply using the wind barbs.

Air Masses and Cyclones
The movement of air masses associated with cyclone is discussed.

Cyclones on Satellite Images
A midlatitude cyclone looks very distinct on a satellite image.

Upper Air Features
Cyclones develop as a result of upper air features discussed in this section, included troughs, wave amplification, and jet streaks.

Acknowledgements
Those who contributed to the development of this module.

The navigation menu (left) for this module is called "Midlatitude Cyclones" and the menu items are arranged in a recommended sequence, beginning with this introduction. In addition, this entire web server is accessible in both "graphics" and "text"-based modes, a feature controlled from the blue "User Interface" menu (located beneath the black navigation menus). More information about the user interface options, the navigation system, or WW2010 in general is accessible from About This Server.


Rainbows
Terms for using data resources. CD-ROM available.
Credits and Acknowledgments for WW2010.
Department of Atmospheric Sciences (DAS) at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

definition