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A generalized classification of South African summer rain‐bearing synoptic systems
Author(s) -
Harrison M. S. J.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of climatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.58
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-0088
pISSN - 0196-1748
DOI - 10.1002/joc.3370040510
Subject(s) - climatology , tropical cyclone , principal component analysis , subtropics , mode (computer interface) , geology , meteorology , geography , artificial intelligence , computer science , biology , operating system , fishery
S‐mode principal component analysis has been applied to standardized monthly South African rainfall fields and the synoptic systems represented on the higher eigenvectors identified by matching the spatial distribution of rainfall on each component with that of the various weather systems as revealed by satellite imagery. Summer systems identified include cloud bands connecting the tropical and temperate circulations, tropical and subtropical cyclones, coastal depressions, cyclones on the continental west coast and troughs associated with cold fronts on the east coast. The new classification is contrasted with earlier equivalent schemes. The uses of the results in terms of the search for geophysical controls on the development of each of the identified systems are discussed.