Respecting The Power And Beauty Of A Powerhouse North Pacific Low-Pressure System

DISCUSSION: When it comes to the global observation of extratropical cyclone formation and evolution thereof, there is no question that cyclone structure can be one of the more interesting marvels of modern atmospheric science dynamical observations. During the heart of a given Northern Hemispheric Winter season, there can often be situations wherein low, mid, and upper level atmospheric support comes into place for the successful development of more intense extratropical cyclones. One of the premiere factors involved with the development of such intense Pacific low-pressure systems has to do with the presence of upper-level features most commonly referred to as an upper-level trough. An upper-level trough is an atmospheric feature which helps to amplify the degree of mid- and/or upper-level instability by way of increasing the mid- to upper-level temperature contrast.

A mid- to upper-level temperature contrast is the primary catalyst which leads to a mid- to upper-level pressure contrast which leads to a more dynamically unstable mid- to upper-level atmospheric environment. As a result of these changes which sometimes occur at times over larger oceanic basins such as the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean basins, there can also sometimes be the development of larger-scale low-pressure systems. When such low-pressure systems develop, you can sometimes observe more rapid development of such systems as is captured in the satellite imagery gif which is attached above (courtesy of The Weather Channel).

In this water vapor satellite imagery gif attached above (courtesy of the Himawari-8 satellite imager), you can clearly see how rapidly such systems can develop when all the necessary factors come into place. From going to the adolescent phase of this system to the mature phase of this extratropical cyclone, you can see how quickly the structure of a developing oceanic cyclone can change. Moreover, you can also see how quickly the well-defined center of this low-pressure system formed and the corresponding convection which wrapped right around the immediate center of this system’s circulation.  Currently, this system has deepened (i.e., has further intensified) all the way down to an estimated 937 mb low.  Thus, there is no debate that this is a very powerful low-pressure system to say the least. It goes without saying that it is incredible to observe the gradual as well as real-time development of such low-pressure systems as they are truly a perfect case and point for how the atmosphere can sometimes perform at an incredibly high level.

To learn more about other neat weather observation topics from around the world, click here! 

© 2019 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz