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Climatology of the dynamic and thermodynamic features of upper tropospheric cyclonic vortices in Northeast Brazil

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the dynamic/thermodynamic features of the center and periphery of upper tropospheric cyclonic vortices (UTCV) in Northeast Brazil (NEB). An algorithm was developed to identify the vortex climatology using ERA-Interim, while rainfall impact was assessed using the Climate Prediction Center dataset, from 1980 to 2016. The algorithm was validated by comparison UTCV’s positions obtained by subjective analysis, showing good performance regarding positioning and seasonality. One of the preferential regions of UTCV occurrence was the semiarid region of NEB, which may indicate these systems have a strong influence on the water deficit in the region. Air subsidence and mass divergence at the center and upward motions and convergence on the periphery of the system were observed. Two conceptual skew-t diagrams were generated and the results bring a new perspective about UTCV thermodynamic features, some of which are: in the center, associated with subsidence, low convective available potential energy (CAPE) values and low humidity concentration were detected in a large atmospheric layer due to the subsidence generated by mass convergence at high levels. In contrast, the edge region presented high CAPE values and high atmospheric moisture content, related to the mass convergence in lower troposphere. The advances in knowledge about dynamic/thermodynamic characteristics of this meteorological system generate perspectives for better simulations, improving its predictability. In addition, the proposed algorithm is of great value for future climatological studies of UTCV.

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Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) Finance Code 001.

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Correspondence to Jean Souza dos Reis.

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dos Reis, J.S., Gonçalves, W.A. & Mendes, D. Climatology of the dynamic and thermodynamic features of upper tropospheric cyclonic vortices in Northeast Brazil. Clim Dyn 57, 3413–3431 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-021-05873-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-021-05873-y

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