Large-scale heavy precipitation over central Europe and the role of atmospheric cyclone track types.

ABSTRACT: Precipitation patterns over Europe are largely controlled by atmospheric cyclones embedded in the general circulation of the mid-latitudes. This study evaluates the climatologic features of precipitation for selected regions in central Europe with respect to cyclone track types for 1959-2015, focusing on large-scale heavy precipitation. The analysis suggests that each of the cyclone track types is connected to a specific pattern of the upper level atmospheric flow, usually characterized by a major trough located over Europe. A dominant upper level cut-off low (COL) is found over Europe for strong continental (CON) and van Bebber's type (Vb) cyclones which move from the east and southeast into central Europe. Strong Vb cyclones revealed the longest residence times, mainly due to circular pr

SUBMITTER: Hofstatter M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5993218 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature