Forecasting the Catalina Eddy

Details

• Personal Author:
  Eichelberger, Arthur L.
• Corporate Authors:
  United States, National Weather Service., Western Region,
• NOAA Program & Office:
  NWS (National Weather Service) ; WR (Western Region)
• Description:
  The CataIina Eddy, a small-scaIe vortex in the bight of southern CaIifornia, has Iong been a serious probIem for the forecaster. It disrupts the normal stratus pattern and can cause marked cooling in the southern California coastal area. The eddy is shown to result when an eastward-moving upper trough nears southern California, with strong northerly surface winds prevaiIing along the California coast. An objective aid for predicting the eddy is presented. It was found that with a surface pressure gradient of five to ten milIlibars from 35N 125W to Los Angeles, positive vorticity advection resulting in vorticity values of seven to ten units ( I0-5 Sec-1) at Los Angeles wiII generate the eddy. Primitive equation prognostic vorticity charts are shown to be highly useful in forecasting development of the Catalina Eddy.
• Content Notes:
  Arthur L. Eichelberger. ; Includes bibliographical references (pages 6-7).
• Series:
  NOAA technical memorandum NWS WR ; 62
• Document Type:
  Technical Memorandum
• Rights Information:
  Public Domain
• Compliance:
  Library
• Download URL:
  https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/13639/noaa_13639_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.08 MB]
• Collection(s):
  National Weather Service (NWS)
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:8132a962579658f46348793af83657548e1b04b5cec6b592a5ad2f78e88d16d0