The Arctic Frontal Zone as Seen in the NCEP–NCAR Reanalysis

Abstract

Calculations of a thermal front parameter using NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data over the period 1979–98 reveal a relative maximum in frontal frequencies during summer along northern Eurasia from about 60° to 70°N, best expressed over the eastern half of the continent. A similar relative maximum is found over Alaska, which is present year-round although best expressed in summer. These high-latitude features can be clearly distinguished from the polar frontal zone in the midlatitudes of the Pacific basin and collectively resemble the summertime“Arctic frontal zone” discussed in several early studies. While some separation between high- and midlatitude frontal activity is observed in all seasons, the summer season is distinguished by the development of an attendant mean baroclinic zone aligned roughly along the Arctic Ocean coastline and associated wind maxima in the upper troposphere. The regions of maximum summer frontal frequency correspond to preferred areas of cyclogenesis and to where the summertime... Abstract Calculations of a thermal front parameter using NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data over the period 1979–98 reveal a relative maximum in frontal frequencies during summer along northern Eurasia from about 60° to 70°N, best expressed over the eastern half of the continent. A similar relative maximum is found over Alaska, which is present year-round although best expressed in summer. These high-latitude features can be clearly distinguished from the polar frontal zone in the midlatitudes of the Pacific basin and collectively resemble the summertime“Arctic frontal zone” discussed in several early studies. While some separation between high- and midlatitude frontal activity is observed in all seasons, the summer season is distinguished by the development of an attendant mean baroclinic zone aligned roughly along the Arctic Ocean coastline and associated wind maxima in the upper troposphere. The regions of maximum summer frontal frequency correspond to preferred areas of cyclogenesis and to where the summertime...