UD C 551.506.1: 651.513.1 (73)"1972.02" WEATHER AND CIRCULATION OF FEBRUARY 1972 Warm and Continued Dry in the Far Southwest

• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bering Strait; Pacific
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.395.2292; http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/100/mwr-100-05-0411.pdf

Development of n blocking pattern over the northern latitudes of the Pacific Ocean was one of the primary features of the mean 700-mb circulation for February 1972 (figs. 1-3). This pattern mas essentially the result of events that hac1 begun during the latter half of January (Wagner 1972). Elsewhere around the hemisphere, major components of the mean 700-mb midlatitude wave train moved eastward from their January positions. Although the mean midlatitude zonal wind index (10.9 m/s) remained above normal (+1.4 m/s), the index was down considerably from the record January value. This reduction mas due in part to the amplified circulation over the Pacific Ocean. The Bering Strait High continued to build during the month, with mean 700-mb height departures rising by more than 150 m. Its continued amplification during February was aided by midlatitude deepening of the mean trough over the western Pacific. Strong ridging accompanied several short waves emanating from the trough as they moved into the central Pacific along a depressed storm track south of the block. Meau height anomalies fell as much as 164 m over the eastern Pacific as the January ridge in that areamoved eastward to North America and a Low became established FIGURE 1.-Mean 700-mb contours in dekameters (dam) for February 1972. May 1972 / 411FIGURE 2.-Departure from normal of mean 700-mb height (m) for