Overview

Vorticity Maxima and Comma Patterns

Season: Every day

Phenomena: Moist Circulations, Vorticity Maxima and Vorticity Advection

Tools: GOES water vapour

Forecast Challenges:

  • Identify and predict the vorticity maxima in order to predict areas of positive vorticity advection
  • Identify the related axes of maximum winds, deformation zones and air masses

Vorticity maxima signatures are very common and indicate areas of ascending circulation and atmospheric forcing. The correct placement of vorticity maxima is vital to the placement of related dynamic features such as the axis of maximum winds and deformation zones.

Note: All examples and conceptual models in this module are set in the northern hemisphere. All graphics are oriented north to south with north on top.