Estudos de casos de frentes de verão: análises sinóticas e termodinâmicas.

Abstract

Five different cases of synoptic disturbances in the South American continent were considered in this study. The analysis applied to them uses a novel approach, which combines both the synoptic/dynamic and the thermodynamic points of view, investigating the effect of synoptic scale air movements over atmospheric instability. Cold incursions were one of the studies’ important subject matters. They were the main synoptic disturbance in two of the case studies. Contrasting behaviors were noted between the magnitudes of the horizontal temperature and moisture gradients. While the temperature gradient weakens the moisture, gradient intensifies. Based on this observation it seems appropriate to consider that Cool air Incursions are moisture fronts. In addition to this it was seen the study cases have indicated there to be a distinction between the tropical, subtropical and extratropical air masses. This distinction is represented by the values of Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE). Lastly, it was noted that Synoptic Scale air movements affect the spatial distribution of CAPE both in the meso and in the subsynoptic scales.