THE DYNAMICS OF THE NONSTATIONARY ATMOSPHERIC FRONT

Abstract

A three-dimensional nonstationary hydrodynamic model of an atmospheric front is proposed in the approximation of the two-layer-stratified, viscous, incompressible rotating fluid. The simplifications used are based on the small angle of inclination of the frontal surface to the horizon and the small inertial forces in the momentum balance equation. An equation that describes the evolution of the frontal surface is derived and analyzed. It is shown that this equation is capable of describing the nonstationary motion of a surface warm front, the formation of an occluded front, and the curvature of a cold-front line at the center of a cyclone. The proposed model agrees with the known earlier results in limiting particular cases.