ISSN:
1420-9136
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract Several topics discussed byBergeron (1954) are reviewed and compared with present-day positions. They are: conditions for formation; maintenance of the hurricane circulation; modification; and cyclones with hurricane winds outside the tropics. On some of these subjects, notably hurricane formation, Bergeron's views in many respects approach those of the present day. A rarely-occurring event is needed in the tropics besides the climatically favorable circumstances for formation. He postulated baroclinity in the form of a surface tropical front. If the baroclinity is shifted from the low to the upper troposphere, his and present-day viewpoints agree that release of baroclinic instability is the main mechanism of initial kinetic energy generation, in contrast to the CISK theory. Major additions can be made especially on the subject of the role of air-sea interaction in hurricane maintenance through downward momentum transport and establishment thereby of a thermal cyclostrophic wind which keeps the warm core in place. Furthermore, many new data exist on extratropical hurricanes; here, a serious research effort has still to be carried out in the future.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00878163
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