Polar Lows: Mesoscale Weather Systems in the Polar Regions

Description

Polar Lows provides a comprehensive review of our understanding of the small, high latitude weather systems known as polar lows. These often-vigorous depressions are a hazard to maritime operations and high latitude communities, yet have only been investigated in detail since the 1960s. In this volume the authors describe the climatological distribution of these lows, the observational investigations into their structure, the operational forecasting of polar lows and the theoretical research into why they develop. They also discuss the experiments carried out with high resolution numerical weather forecast models that have shown that some polar lows can be predicted a day or more in advance. The book has been written by a number of experts within the field and has been carefully edited to form an integrated, cohesive volume. It will be of value to researchers in meteorology and climatology, as well as professional weather forecasters concerned with polar regions.

'I strongly recommend this important contribution for purchase by all scientists interested in these sometimes intense mesoscale phenomena that extend into the mid-latitudes, and by libraries emphasizing atmospheric and polar science.' EOS 'This book is significant because it helps us to advance towards complete theoretical understanding of why polar lows develop ... The book is of practical importance ... Polar lows: mesoscale weather systems in the polar regions is a quality publication providing high-resolution satellite images, diagrams, graphs, weather charts ... The book has been assembled with great care and considerable editorial skills, maintaining continuity throughout the text. Logical layout and good writing skills make the flow of knowledge smooth and understandable ... thorough, up-to-date, and thought-provoking ... highly recommended for purchase by institutional and university libraries. I do not hesitate to recommend this book ...'. Antarctic Science '... seems destined to become the standard work on the subject, it must be hoped that all research and university libraries will ensure that they acquire a copy.' The Journal of Meteorology