Articles | Volume 1, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-1-293-2020
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-1-293-2020
Research article
 | 
08 Jul 2020
Research article |  | 08 Jul 2020

Atmospheric blocking in an aquaplanet and the impact of orography

Veeshan Narinesingh, James F. Booth, Spencer K. Clark, and Yi Ming

Data sets

The ERA-Interim reanalysis: configuration and performance of the data assimilation system (https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/datasets/reanalysis-datasets/era-interim/) D. P. Dee, S. M. Uppala, A. J. Simmons, P. Berrisford, P. Poli, S. Kobayashi, U. Andrae, M. A. Balmaseda, G. Balsamo, P. Bauer, P. Bechtold, A. C. M. Beljaars, L. Van de Berg, J. Bidlot, N. Bormann, C. Delsol, R. Dragani, M. Fuentes, A. J. Geer, L. Haimberger, S. B. Healy, H. Hersbach, E. V. Hólm, L. Isaksen, P. Kållberg, M. Köhler, M. Matricardi, A. P. McNally, B. M. Monge-Sanz, J. Morcrette, B. Park, C. Peubey, P. de Rosnay, C. Tavolato, J. Thépaut, and F. Vitart https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.828

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Short summary
This work investigates the influence of orography on atmospheric blocking dynamics, spatial frequency, and duration. Using an idealized model, a landless integration and integrations with mountains are analyzed. The dynamical evolution of blocking in the idealized model is found to be similar to reanalysis. Orography is found to significantly increase blocking and anchors where blocks most likely occur (i.e., just upstream from mountains and near storm track exits).