Discussion on the Complete-Form Vorticity Equation and Slantwise Vorticity Development

The complete form of the vertical vorticity tendency equation （the complete-form vorticity equation） is derived from the Ertel potential vorticity equation to contain thermodynamic factors. In this study, a new complete-form vorticity equation, which has the same form as the original complete-form vorticity equation, is deduced from the absolute vorticity vector equation combined with the continuity equation and the expression of three-dimensional （3D） entropy gradient. By comparing the complete-form vorticity equation with the classical vertical vorticity equation, it is found that regardless of whether or not the isentropic surface is tilting, the two vorticity equations are in essence the same. The ＂baroclinic term＂ of the complete-form vorticity equation is exactly equal to the solenoidal term of the classical one, and there is a significant amount of cancellation between the two baroclinic items （the ＂slantwise term＂ and the horizontal vorticity change term） in the complete-form vorticity equation. In operational weather analysis, the tilt of the isentropic surface can be diagnosed according to the density of the isotherm on the upper-level isobaric map. For synoptic-scale motion, the vertical vorticity produced by the tilt of the isentropic surface is due to the contribution of atmospheric baroclinicity, which is measured by the solenoid. The 3D solenoid is parallel to the isentropic surface, so the more tilted the isentropic surface, the bigger the projection of the 3D solenoid in the vertical direction. The baroclinic contribution can be interpreted based on the PV thinking theory, but the relationship between the vorticity field and the potential vorticity field is not immediate.

Effect of condensation latent heat release on the relative vorticity tendency in extratropical cyclones:a case study

Taking an extratropical cyclone that produced extreme precipitation as the research object,this paper calculates the contribution of condensation latent heat release(LHR)to relative vorticity tendency based on the complete-form vertical vorticity tendency equation.The results show that the heating rate of convectional condensation LHR can reach up to about 40 times that of stable condensation LHR.Both the stable and convectional heating centers are higher than 700 hPa,which would cause∂Q/∂z>0 and a positive vorticity source in the lower troposphere.The vertical gradient of stable condensation LHR contributes little to the growth of relative vorticity,while the relative vorticity tendency associated with the vertical gradient of convectional condensation LHR can be an order of magnitude higher than the former.The positive vorticity source is always located right below the latent heating center,and its maximum value can always be found in the lower troposphere.Convectional LHR is the primary factor for cyclone development from the perspective of diabatic heating.The horizontal gradient of total condensation LHR can contribute about 65%of the actual vorticity growth,but the effect of the vertical gradient of convectional condensation(LHR)can reach twice as much.The adiabatic heating from LHR can cause vorticity tendency directly.However,it can also change the vertical and horizontal gradient of potential temperature,which can further induce vorticity tendency.