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Meteorology

Storm-track Dynamics

Extratropical cyclones are the atmospheric disturbances that create much of the weather we experience. These cyclones travel along relatively narrow bands in the midlatitudes, regions known as "storm tracks".

Storm Track
Storm Track

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The Northern Hemisphere has two main storm tracks, one in the Pacific and one in the Atlantic.  These storm tracks are different in terms of the strength and paths of the cyclones travelling along them, and how these cyclone characteristics change from summer to winter.  Studying these differences will help us better understand what controls day-to-day weather in different regions, and better predict how weather will change in a warming world.

Contact at GFI: Camille Li and Justin Wettstein