What Is Baroclinic?
Describes air where temperature changes a lot across a distance, like near a front. These zones feed the energy of large storms. In technical terms: A state in which density surfaces intersect pressure surfaces, implying horizontal temperature gradients and vertical wind shear (thermal wind); baroclinic instability converts available potential energy into kinetic energy and drives midlatitude cyclogenesis.
Also called: Baroclinicity
Baroclinic In Plain English
Describes air where temperature changes a lot across a distance, like near a front. These zones feed the energy of large storms.
The Technical Definition
A state in which density surfaces intersect pressure surfaces, implying horizontal temperature gradients and vertical wind shear (thermal wind); baroclinic instability converts available potential energy into kinetic energy and drives midlatitude cyclogenesis.
