Typical Appearance In Vertical Cross Sections

  • Isentropes:
    Often there is a conditionally unstable stratification in the lower and middle troposphere, with isentropic values decreasing with height. Otherwise isentropes show a shape of a ridge with the isolines far from each other in the area of the Upper Level Low.
  • Relative Vorticity:
    Due to the cyclonic circulation within the Upper Level Low there is a maximum of relative vorticity.
  • Temperature Advection:
    The air within an Upper Level Low is colder than in the surroundings. Therefore, there is distinct cold advection ahead of the Upper Level Low, and warm advection behind it.
  • Potential Vorticity:
    There is a maximum of potential vorticity above the centre of the Upper Level Low.

15 September 2005/12.00 UTC - Meteosat 8 IR 10.8 image; position of vertical cross section indicated

Relative vorticity

15 September 2005/12.00 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (Thetae), blue: relative vorticity

Temperature advection

15 September 2005/12.00 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (Thetae), red thin: temperature advection - CA, red thick: temperature advection - WA

Potential vorticity

15 September 2005/12.00 UTC - Vertical cross section; black: isentropes (Thetae), dark green: potential vorticity