EUMeTrain: Case Study on Genoa Cyclone with Mistral 13-16 February 2005

Additional Meteorological Parameters

The important feature of the case besides the cyclogenesis is very strong mistral wind, therefore wind field, both lower- and upper-level one. Besides the wind, temperature field also showed some interesting features.

Temperature at 850 hPa level

Temperature at 500 hPa level


Maxima of Potential Vorticity PV (positive anomalies) indicate stratospheric air protruding downward. This is a process which triggers or enhances cyclogenesis. In this chapter the height of PV=1 is overlayed on the Meteosat 7 WV channel.

Heigth of PV=1 unit (stratospheric air)


Summary of the investigations in this chapter

Cyclogenesis or the deepening of dry stratospheric air is always accompanied by high values for PV. This is a rather classical process of cyclogenesis in the western Mediterranean and it is very well depicited in the PV field with height of PV=1 unit coming down to 600 hPa.
Temperature advection shows a typical distribution with the warm advection in the cloud head and the cold behind.