The development of a subsynoptic vortex over the Mediterranean has been followed for several days (27 September-I October 1983). The major tool for the study are METEOSAT images from the visible and infrared spectrum, and wind data from low and high levels obtained by tracking cloud elements in these images. The subsynoptic vortex forms in the central part of a synoptic scale low of modest intensity, and deep convection is observed in the region prior to the formation of the vortex. The initial formation of the vortex is most probably caused by a rapid spin-up due to intense convection of pre-existing vorticity associated with the synoptic scale low. After its formation, the vortex moves in a large circle and is best developed at a position over the sea west of Sardinia and Corsica. The vortex at this time is characterized by deep convection, a vertical axis and an upper-level anticyclonic divergent flow corresponding to a warm core structure.Tellus 39A (1987), 4
The development of a subsynoptic vortex over the Mediterranean has been followed for several days (27 September‐1 October 1983). The major tool for the study are METEOSAT images from the visible and infrared spectrum, and wind data from low and high levels obtained by tracking cloud elements in these images. The subsynoptic vortex forms in the central part of a synoptic scale low of modest intensity, and deep convection is observed in the region prior to the formation of the vortex. The initial formation of the vortex is most probably caused by a rapid spin‐up due to intense convection of pre‐existing vorticity associated with the synoptic scale low. After its formation, the vortex moves in a large circle and is best developed at a position over the sea west of Sardinia and Corsica. The vortex at this time is characterized by deep convection, a vertical axis and an upper‐level anticyclonic divergent flow corresponding to a warm core structure.
The motion picture, of Meteosat VIS and IR half-hourly image sequences, covers the North African area with close-ups of northwest Africa from 28 to 31 March 1985. A cold front and horizontal vortex rolls, with their convergent upward atmospheric motions, visualized through dust being transported south from the Atlas mountains, may have transported locust swarms from the Algerian breeding area down to southeast Mauritania, where specimens were observed a few days after the event. This followed more than a year of no locust observations at all. Observation of dust in the atmosphere may give some insight into the transport and behaviour of locusts, both on the synoptic and mesoscale.
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