Climatology of cyclones, anticyclones and storm tracks: Revision of concepts

Abstract

This paper has the finality of describe climatology of extratropical cyclones, anticyclones and storm tracks for the NH and SH. There is a long history of studies on the characteristics of synoptic systems, beginning with classical work on mid-latitude cyclones. For the SH, analyses of pressure data provide extensive statistics of the climatology of synoptic systems. Interestingly, the anticyclones mean central pressure at 38°S in JJA and 44°S in DJF. SH cyclones are characterized in frequency maximum in the circumpolar trough between about 50°S and 70°S. For the NH cyclones, the principal findings of the analysis are as follows: In January the primary maxima are in the western North Atlantic, with a peak about 45° - 50°N, where there is a secondary peak, over the north-central Mediterranean: These characteristics are similar in April but with decrease in the frequency of centers; In July the frequencies are further reduced and the hemisphere maximum is over eastern Canada at 55°N: The October pattern resembles that of winter, except that the Atlantic maximum is off southeast Greenland. © 2004 Sociedade Brasileira de Geofísica.