The Mesoscale Structure of Extratropical Cyclones and Middle and High Clouds

The first half of Chapter 10 begins with an introduction to the synoptic features of extratropical cyclones, after which the focus is on the properties and processes of various mesoscale features associated with extratropical cyclones. These include rainbands, snowbands, orographic influences, precipitation cores and gaps, split fronts, cold fronts aloft, gravity wave effects and lake effect storms. Polar lows are also described. In the second half of this chapter, the characteristics and processes of middle- and high-level clouds, many of which are often associated with extratropical cyclones, are examined, including their microphysical and radiative properties and the impacts of aerosol indirect forcing on these cloud types.