Subscribe now

Letter: Letter

Published 14 December 2002

From Karen Aplin, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Paul Ratcliffe’s descriptions if cyclones and anticyclones are correct, but neither directly explains the observations. Helm Clayton’s 1901 model of a “cold-cored cyclone” was deduced from surface observations of a central minimum in pressure, cold central air, and cyclonic rotation. Our 1999 measurements found a cold outflow and Clayton’s cyclone, but we also reported weak anticyclonic flow at the centre. After a century, we unfortunately still lack numerical simulations of the three-dimensional eclipse cyclone’s structure.

Issue no. 2373 published 14 December 2002

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop