What is a "Trough"? and...........
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HouTXmetro
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What is a "Trough"? and...........
What is the difference between a trough, area of Low Pressure and a front? I always here a Hurricane may be picked up by a trough of low pressure or a front. What distinguishes a trough from a broad area of Low Pressure?
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senorpepr
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Well, an area of low pressure is a circulation that is completely closed, or makes a circle. You can locate these on a weather map by finding isobars (lines of equal pressure) that form circles.
(Check out http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/namer/nam/12/images/nam_850_000l.gif and find the circle labelled 129 over northern Canada. This is a low)
As for a trough, think of as a ditch of lower pressure. It's not completely closed off like a low would be, but can extend from a low pressure center.
(Check out http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/namer/nam/12/images/nam_850_000l.gif and find the "dip" in the isobars SW of the low over Canada. This trough extends from northern Canada through Manitoba)
As for a front, it's the same thing as a trough, except that the front acts as a boundary between different air masses. You can tell the difference betweeen a trough and a front by how much the temperature or dewpoint varies on either side of the front.
(Check out http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/namer/nam/12/images/nam_850_000l.gif and locate the low marked as 135 SE of the 129 low in Canada. This low is near the Hudson Sea. Notice the troughing that extends southwest of this low -- that's a trough of low pressure. Now notice how those red lines (called isotherms - lines of equal temperature) follow the trough? Well, that would indicate that's a front. SW of the low is the cold front while NE of the low is a warm front.)
Hopefully this helps explain the difference.
(Check out http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/namer/nam/12/images/nam_850_000l.gif and find the circle labelled 129 over northern Canada. This is a low)
As for a trough, think of as a ditch of lower pressure. It's not completely closed off like a low would be, but can extend from a low pressure center.
(Check out http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/namer/nam/12/images/nam_850_000l.gif and find the "dip" in the isobars SW of the low over Canada. This trough extends from northern Canada through Manitoba)
As for a front, it's the same thing as a trough, except that the front acts as a boundary between different air masses. You can tell the difference betweeen a trough and a front by how much the temperature or dewpoint varies on either side of the front.
(Check out http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/namer/nam/12/images/nam_850_000l.gif and locate the low marked as 135 SE of the 129 low in Canada. This low is near the Hudson Sea. Notice the troughing that extends southwest of this low -- that's a trough of low pressure. Now notice how those red lines (called isotherms - lines of equal temperature) follow the trough? Well, that would indicate that's a front. SW of the low is the cold front while NE of the low is a warm front.)
Hopefully this helps explain the difference.
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DoctorHurricane2003
A trough is an elongated area of low pressure where, generally, winds blow from opposite directions on either side of the trough axis.
A front is a boundary between two air masses with different temperatures and/or moisture content. Generally, it is a type of trough.
A cyclone is a low pressure area with winds going in a circular, inward motion.
A broad area of low pressure is just that....a broad area of lower pressures.
A front is a boundary between two air masses with different temperatures and/or moisture content. Generally, it is a type of trough.
A cyclone is a low pressure area with winds going in a circular, inward motion.
A broad area of low pressure is just that....a broad area of lower pressures.
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Oh well, I know now. Thanks for the awesome explaination. It was simple and made sense. Thanks!!
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HouTXmetro
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senorpepr wrote:Never feel afraid to ask a question. The majority of the pro mets won't mind at all. If they do mind... they have issues.
That's what this forum is all about... learn and sharing.
Ok good, because I have a question as well. Just figured I'd tack it onto this thread. I just want to know... what is the prevailing cause of the bermuda high? It's there every year, and I've always wondered what causes it.
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