Key Parameters
Frontal Parameters (TFP, equivalent thickness)
The typical configurations of key parameters for fronts and thickness ridge are described in detail in the relevant conceptual model chapters
(see
Cold Front
,
Cold Front in Cold Advection
,
Cold Front in Warm Advection
,
Split Front
,
Arctic Cold Front
,
Warm Front Band
,
Warm Front Shield
,
Detached Warm Front
,
Occlusion
,
Instant Occlusion
,
Occlusion: Cold Conveyor Belt Type
,
Cold Air Development
and
Baroclinic Boundary
).
The relevant area is the thickness ridge ahead of the CF.
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08 August 2004/18.00 UTC - Meteosat 8 IR 10.8 image; lines: blue: thermal front parameter 500/850 hPa, green: equivalent thickness
500/850 hPa
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Stability index (Showalter index)
An area with high probability for Cb development will normally have Showalter index with values below 3 units.
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08 August 2004/18.00 UTC - Meteosat 8 IR 10.8 image; lines: green: equivalent thickness 500/850 hPa, yellow: Showalter index
500/850 hPa
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Equivalent potential temperature at 850 hPa
Tongue of high values of ThetaE; MCS develop in the area of the maximum values
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08 August 2004/18.00 UTC - Meteosat 8 IR 10.8 image; lines: magenta: ThetaE 850 hPa
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