Articles | Volume 2, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-2-255-2021
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-2-255-2021
Research article
 | 
29 Mar 2021
Research article |  | 29 Mar 2021

A process-based anatomy of Mediterranean cyclones: from baroclinic lows to tropical-like systems

Emmanouil Flaounas, Suzanne L. Gray, and Franziska Teubler

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Cited articles

Adamson, D. S., Belcher, S. E., Hoskins, B. J., and Plant, R. S.: Boundary-layer friction in midlatitude cyclones, Q. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc., 132, 101–124, https://doi.org/10.1256/qj.04.145, 2006. 
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Ahmadi-Givi, F., Graig, G. C., and Plant, R. S.: The dynamics of a midlatitude cyclone with very strong latent-heat release, Q. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc., 130, 295–323, https://doi.org/10.1256/qj.02.226, 2004. 
Alpert, P., Neeman, B. U., and Shay-El, Y.: Climatological analysis of Mediterranean cyclones using ECMWF data, Tellus A, 42, 65–77, https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusa.v42i1.11860, 1990. 
Attinger, R., Spreitzer, E., Boettcher, M., Forbes, R., Wernli, H., and Joos, H.: Quantifying the role of individual diabatic processes for the formation of PV anomalies in a North Pacific cyclone, Q. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc., 145, 2454–2476, https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.3573, 2019. 
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Short summary
In this study, we quantify the relative contribution of different atmospheric processes to the development of 100 intense Mediterranean cyclones and show that both upper tropospheric systems and diabatic processes contribute to cyclone development. However, these contributions are complex and present high variability among the cases. For this reason, we analyse several exemplary cases in more detail, including 10 systems that have been identified in the past as tropical-like cyclones.
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